Infection control procedures used in conjunction with computed dental radiography.

Infection control guidelines for dental radiography have been modified since 1986, when the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supported the concept of "universal blood and body fluid precautions." With the introduction of computed digital radiography, hardware manufacturers recommend that alternative infection control techniques are necessary to prevent potential damage to the digital x-ray sensors placed inside the patient's mouth. Thirty first-year dental hygiene students were asked to insert and remove a Schick CDR number 2 size intraoral digital x-ray sensor into modified Rinn XCP bitewing bite blocks and a modified Rinn Snap-a-ray five times with each of the recommended infection control covers. Reduced rates of cross contamination are possible if the plastic barrier envelope has an additional latex finger cot stretched over it and the x-ray sensor. Sole usage of a latex finger cot will result in a reduced incidence of contamination, but still not to acceptable levels. However, a plastic barrier envelope placed over the x-ray sensor and over the modified XCP bite block together or a covered sensor in a Snap-a-ray under normal conditions does not result in a perforation and is least likely to result in cross contamination.

Carotid artery calcification in the black population: a retrospective study on panoramic radiographs.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of carotid artery calcification on panoramic radiographs in the Black population. METHODS: Panoramic radiographs of 700 adult male and female Black dental outpatients from the Medical Center of Louisiana Charity Hospital were examined for any unusual radiopacity adjacent to or just below the intervertebral space between C3 and C4. RESULTS: Three (0.43%) of the 700 patients, with ages ranging from 46 - 77-years-old, had one or more unusual radiopacities in the region of interest. All three were female. CONCLUSION: It is uncommon to find radiopacities adjacent to or just below the intervertebral space between C3 and C4 in the general Black population.

Modified intraoral film holders for postmortem identification.

To date there have not been any commercial dental X-ray film holders marketed to accommodate the special needs of forensic odontologists. Modification of standard Rinn XCP film holders by the investigators produced self-supporting film holders that do not require the active participation from the examinee. The modified film holders greatly simplify the operator's technique of exposing dental radiographs on cadavers.

Computed dental radiography used to reproduce antemortem film position.

Visual comparison of conventional antemortem and postmortem dental radiographs is often included in forensic identification. Ten forensic cases employing dry mandibular and maxillary bones and a dry study skull were exposed using the CDR digital dental X-ray system developed by Schick Technologies, Inc. Exposures of 0.08s at 10 mA and 70 kVp were taken with an INTREX intraoral dental X-ray unit. Digital radiography has the ability to produce an image instantaneously, allowing an operator to retake an incorrectly aligned radiograph almost immediately. It gives the forensic scientist a simplified method for reproducing antemortem radiographic position more efficiently and often with greater accuracy than conventional radiography.

Efficacy of topical disinfectants.

A comparison of bactericidal activity of two surface disinfectants showed that both were highly effective. The glutaraldehyde-based disinfectant showed higher efficacy on roughed surfaces than the alcohol-based disinfectant. The study used a novel, and generally applicable, method to evaluate the surface killing potential of disinfectants.

Technical note. A novel technique for pre-implant radiography using an instant camera system.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an intra-oral photograph could supplant the need for either a plaster model or occlusal radiograph in pre-implant tomographic assessment with the Imaging Sciences 1S-2000 system. METHODS: Instant photographs obtained with the CU-5 instant Polaroid camera of 25 patients' maxillary or mandibular arches were scanned into the computer in lieu of a plaster cast or occlusal radiograph. Tomographs were then exposed and evaluated by the referring dentists. RESULTS: Implant tomographs of diagnostic quality were obtained for all 25 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The CU-5 system offers the clinician a simpler, faster technique to produce dental implant tomographs than is currently available.

Radiographic selection protocol for new and recall patients in U.S. and Canadian dental schools.

This study indicates that a growing number of dental schools are now using individual selection criteria to determine which radiographs, if any, are required for screening new and recall patients. A majority of Canadian schools are in compliance with CDA's Guidelines For the Control Of Radiation In the Dental Office, which state that the frequency of radiological examination is a matter of clinical judgment, and that it should not be considered as a routine procedure. In general, most schools support the use of individual selection criteria prior to requesting radiographs. The results of this study also indicate that more U.S. dental schools now follow the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) recommendations on radiation exposure than at any other time in history. However, both the FDA recommendations and the American Association of Dental Schools' guidelines for prescribing radiographs are only recommendations, which are subject to clinical judgment, and may not be applied universally to all patients.

Quantification of the lamina dura.

The lamina dura continues to be an enigma. It is typically described in the scientific literature as being present or absent. This study used digitized radiographs in an attempt to quantify the thickness of the lamina dura in different regions of the oral cavity in healthy adult patients. Even with the potential for multiple variables that could affect the appearance of the lamina dura, the results show measurable differences in the thickness of the lamina dura in the anterior and posterior teeth, with average widths ranging from 0.22-0.54 mm.

Effects of glove powder on radiographic quality.

The use of powered rubber gloves in the provision of dental care has produced a new variable in radiographic quality assurance procedures. Wearing powder-coated gloves while processing X-ray films can reduce the quality of the images obtained on processed radiographic film. To ensure that the optimum quality of processed film images is achieved, the operator must be careful to prevent the contamination of the film and processing solutions with powder.

Determining the radiation exposure from visual display terminals used in dentistry.

Computers are rapidly becoming incorporated into all aspects of dentistry, including administrative, didactic and research functions. Of particular concern for dentists are women of childbearing age who are regularly employed as receptionists and secretaries in private dental practices and teaching institutions. Thermoluminescent dosimeter pellets of lithium fluoride were attached directly to the surface of 10 VDT's of varying age and from different manufacturers. The purpose was to compare the amounts of radiation emitted from personal computers that are commonly used in dental practices and teaching institutions. All of the machines tested met USNRC regulations for safety by emitting only negligible amounts of radiation.

Reevaluation of the Fexitron 845.

The concept of flash radiography resulted in the development of the Fexitron 845 in the 1960s. Limitations in the technology of screen films (calcium tungstate) at that time displaced the Fexitron as a useful adjunct for clinical dentistry. The recent introduction of the more efficient rare-earth screens requires a reevaluation of the Fexitron 845. This study retests the efficacy of the Fexitron 845 for clinical diagnosis.