Early postnatal development of the lumbar vertebrae in male Wistar rats: double staining and digital radiological studies.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the physiological developmental changes of male rats' lumbar vertebrae during the first 22 days after birth. Morphology and mineralisation of lumbar vertebrae were evaluated using double-staining and digital radiography system, which allowed vertebral width and optical density to be determined. Pup weight, crown-rump length, body mass index and vertebral width increased during postnatal period and significantly correlated with their age. Bone mineralisation, as measured by optical density, did not show any significant differences. The complete fusion of the primary ossification centres had a cranio- -caudal direction and started on day 19 after parturition but was incomplete by day 22. It could be concluded that, unlike significant age-related increase of vertebral size, mineralisation was only slightly elevated during evaluated postnatal period. The method described is supplementary to alizarin red S staining as it provides both qualitative and quantitative data on mineralisation in a similar manner to micro computed tomography but does not allow 3 dimensional and microarchitecture examination.

Radiographic appearance and clinical implications of the presence of radix entomolaris and radix paramolaris.

BACKGROUND: The variation in mandibular molars' anatomy is not as rare as it might appear to be. Depending on the location of the additional root found in a mandibular molar, it may be referred to as either radix entomolaris (RE) or radix paramolaris (RP). The aim of the study was to present radiographic appearance of RE and RP and indicate the clinical implications of its presence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material consisted of 3,000 panoramic and 300 periapical radiographs of first and second mandibular molars taken in the Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiodiagnostics of the Medical University in Lublin which were screened for RE and RP. RESULTS: Among panoramic and periapical radiographs only 14 cases of additional roots were found: 11 teeth with RE/RP in the Polish population and 3 in Taiwanese. Only 2 panoramic radiographs revealed the presence of RE and surprisingly the occurrence was bilateral. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists should not be taken by surprise at finding an additional root in mandibular molars. They should be aware of the anatomical diversity of these teeth and know how to recognise possible extra roots during radiograph reading.

Morphology of root canals in adult premolar teeth.

The aim of the present study was to examine the morphology of root canals in premolar teeth with completely formed root apices. The material consisted of 139 extracted premolar teeth, including 83 first premolars (59.7%) and 56 second premolars (40.3%). Maxillary teeth made up 64% of the material and mandibular teeth 36%. In order to measure the actual root canal length an endodontic instrument was inserted into the root canal (in teeth with a single root canal this was instrument no. 25 and in teeth with two or three root canals no. 20) until its tip was visible in the anatomical foramen. The silicone limit was fixed at a reference point on the dental crown, and after removal of the instrument the real length was read using an endodontic ruler. The results were presented using descriptive statistical measures (mean, maximum, minimum, median value and quartiles). In order to compare mean values of root canal lengths the z test was used. Of the first maxillary premolars, 91% had two root canals and 9% had three root canals. As far as the second upper premolars are concerned, 14.7% were teeth with single root canals while as many as 85.3% were teeth with two root canals. The majority of the first lower premolars (89.3%) had one root canal and 10.7% of these teeth had two root canals. Most of the second lower premolars (68.2%) had a single root canal, while the remaining 31.8% had two root canals. None of the mandibular premolars examined had three root canals.

Application of Doppler ultrasonography in congenital vascular lesions of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the value of Doppler ultrasonography in the assessment of congenital vascular lesions of the maxillofacial region. METHODS: 27 new patients with 36 congenital vascular lesions in the maxillofacial region as well as 10 patients previously treated with cryotherapy underwent ultrasonography (US) with a 6.0-10.0 MHz broadband linear transducer (reference Doppler frequency 7.5 MHz). Initial grey-scale US was followed by Color Doppler, Power Doppler and spectral Doppler studies. The presence or absence of flow was noted. In areas of high vascularity the number of vessels within a 1 cm(2) restricted region of interest were increased by spectral Doppler. RESULTS: US allowed differentiation of seven hemangiomas from other congenital vascular lesions and thus appropriate treatment of patients. Low flow vessels were demonstrated within the scars of five lesions previously treated with cryotherapy, requiring further intervention. CONCLUSION: Doppler US is a widely available, non-invasive and relatively inexpensive technique which can be used to characterize the flow of head and neck vascular anomalies and thus differentiate hemangiomas from other vascular malformations.

Imaging diagnostic approach to tumours of ramus and angle of the mandible.

The abundance of up-to-date diagnostic equipment and imaging techniques makes it necessary to reconsider diagnostic approach to many maxillofacial disorders, including mandibular tumours, and to elaborate algorithms of radiological examinations allowing for the planning of a cost-effective treatment based on thorough diagnostics. The material was composed of 146 case records of 68 patients examined in the years 1995-2000 in the Medical University of Lublin. There were selected radiograms as well as the results of other imaging modalities of persons with clinically confirmed tumours of mandibular ramus or angle. In each case there were noted: the initial and the final diagnosis as well as the number and sequence of the performed diagnostic examinations. On the basis of the obtained results there was proposed a diagnostic algorithm in cases of mandibular angle and ramus tumours, which was presented in the form of a scheme. It was proved that conventional radiograms are still fundamental in initial selection of patients while other diagnostic imaging methods are indispensable in treatment planning.

The application of digital radiography and radiodensitometry in evaluation of chronic fibrous periapical changes of endodontically untreated teeth.

Lesions in hard tissues of teeth can be detected on radiograms only when there exists considerable decrease in mineralisation. By means of digital radiography the diagnostics of dental pathologies becomes more precise and objective. The aim of the paper was the radiodensitometric evaluation of chronic fibrous periapical changes. The material comprised 308 digital intraoral radiograms of teeth with periapical changes among which there were chosen the cases of clinically confirmed chronic fibrous periapical inflammations of endodontically untreated teeth. All radiograms were analysed in the Digora Soredex digital radiography system in gray scale, in full colour and using the tomosynthesis function. The linear measurements of root densities were carried out at the distance of 1 mm from radiological apices while the measurements of alveolar bone at the distance of 2 mm from it. Twenty-five teeth without evident periapical changes formed the control group. There were found significantly lower densities of roots and alveolar bone in the group of chronic fibrous periapical lesions in comparison with the control group. A characteristic feature of chronic fibrous periapical changes is the density of the root of an affected tooth that is higher than in acute inflammation and at the same time lower than in the control group. The radiodensitometry proved to be useful in evaluation of chronic fibrous periapical changes.

Early detection of potential impaction of permanent maxillary canines caused by resorption disorders of deciduous canines.

Maxillary canine impaction is an often-encountered dental anomaly as after the third molar it is the maxillary canine that is the most frequently impacted tooth. One of many factors causing impaction of maxillary canines is the presence of the persistent primary canine. The aim of the study was early evaluation of resorption of deciduous maxillary canines and an attempt at prediction of impaction or delayed eruption of their permanent counterparts as well as the possibility of their eruption in proper position in the dental arch. There were examined digital intraoral radiograms of 43 patients at the age from 8 to 11 years (44% boys, 56% girls). All the radiograms were taken using the Digora Soredex digital radiography system. There was observed the presence and degree of resorption of deciduous maxillary canines according to age and sex. It was evaluated whether a deciduous canine might be a mechanical obstacle for erupting the permanent tooth. It was concluded that although physiological resorption of deciduous maxillary canine begins at the age of 8, it is radiologically evident on intraoral digital X-rays taken at the age of 9-10 years. So the best time to assess a patient for potential resorption of primary canine and possibilities of eruption of its equivalent in proper position in dental arch is between the 9th and 10th year of age.

Demographic structure of patients taking dental X-rays in the Lublin region.

Intraoral radiograms are the most often taken X-ray pictures in humans and the dose of radiation necessary for such radiogram is very low. However, there exists a considerable anxiousness in Polish society towards Roentgen radiation making patients avoid dental X-rays even when these are indispensable in dental treatment. The aim of the study was the evaluation of demographic structure of patients taking intraoral radiograms. The material consisted of 1,014 adults undergoing dental treatment, who had intraoral radiograms taken in the Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology in 2000. After the informed consent the patients filled an anonymous questionnaire of standardised interview. The collected records were analyzed statistically and data such as age, sex, education, place of residence, employment and income were considered. The demographic structure of population of patients who had intraoral radiograms taken in the course of dental treatment differs considerably from the structure of the general population. These differences were marked especially when taking into account the level of education, employment and place of residence of the studied patients. Inhabitants of rural communities, people with lower level of education as well as older patients avoid taking dental radiograms irrationally fearing ionizing radiation. The economic factor is also important and influences the structure of patients in the domain of employment and income.

HPLC-OPLC-MS investigation of change of formaldehyde and its generators in human teeth of different physiological stage.

Taking into consideration the unquestionable intracellular occurrence of formaldehyde (HCHO) and its generators in cells of plant, animal and human organisms as well as in body fluids it was resolved to determine their levels in hard tissues of physiologically and pathologically changed teeth. The aim of the work was to determine the relationship between the level of HCHO and the levels of its generators in pathologically changed teeth, mainly carietic teeth as tooth caries is still a serious and commonly occurring problem. The occurrence of HCHO (captured as its dimedone adduct) and some of its potential generators was demonstrated in the hard tissues of healthy and pathological human teeth by means of OPLC, HPLC and MS analyses. It was established that the measurable level of HCHO was increased in the carietic teeth in comparison with healthy ones. In the case of paradontic tooth sample, a dramatic increase of HCHO was observed and at the same time the level of betaines was decreased considerably. The obtained results give a new insight into the pathology of hard tissues of teeth in strong correlation with the phases of stress syndrome.

Measurement of formaldehyde as dimedone adduct and potential formaldehyde precursors in hard tissues of human teeth by overpressured layer chromatography.

Simple, automatic overpressured layer chromatographic methods for the parallel determination of endogenous formaldehyde in the form of dimedone adduct and potential formaldehyde generators (betaines) in hard tissues of human teeth are described together with an efficient densitometric evaluation. These simple procedures involve the special preparation of teeth and extraction of formaldehyde, of different binding force in teeth, with methanol containing dimedone, and the isolation of betaines with an aqueous solution of methanol.

Quantitative TLC determination of formaldehyde in hard tissues of teeth.

Levels of formaldehyde, which is formed within cells as an indispensable part of biological processes, have been determined by means of TLC in hard tissues of human teeth, with and without pathological changes. A wide variety of formaldehyde levels was determined according to the physiological state of a tooth. The results show that caries can be of immense importance in the process of formaldehyde formation and its release in hard tissues of human teeth.

The increase of formaldehyde level in some rare pathological cases of teeth determined with the use of quantitative TLC.

In our previous works we proved that formaldehyde (HCHO) level in hard tissues of teeth could depend on their physiological state. In the current paper we presented the results of HCHO determinations in different dental pathologies, mainly the ones rarely encountered in dental practice, e.g. in the case of reinclusion. The determination of HCHO in the form of dimedone was performed by means of quantitative TLC. The obtained results were compared with HCHO levels in hard tissues of teeth presenting pathological changes. It proved that the highest HCHO level was found in reincluded teeth while it was lower in retained teeth, that is the ones which are not subjected to stress factors present in the mouth. The obtained results can constitute a contribution to the problems of dental pathologies, mainly caries which is a very common problem.

Comparative quantitative chromatographic determination of formaldehyde in different groups of physiological and pathological hard tissues of teeth.

Taking into consideration that HCHO level in cells of plant, animal and human tissues as well as in body fluids depends from physiological state of an organism in the current study it was decided to find out if there are changes of HCHO level in different physiological and pathological hard tissues of teeth. The obtained results showed in all 4 groups of teeth separately analysed that there were some regularities in the level of HCHO as far as similar physiological or pathological states are concerned. This was best seen when comparing the obtained results with mean HCHO level of the studied groups of teeth.

[Iatrogenic foreign bodies within the maxillofacial region]. / Jatrogenne ciala obce w obrebie twarzoczaszki.

Five hundred different X-ray pictures of the maxillofacial region were analysed. Foreign bodies such as dental filling materials and instruments were found. It was stated that most often the excess of endodontic material was observed in the region of a treated tooth. The second site where iatrogenic foreign bodies were found was the maxillary sinus. The reason of these complications was the lack of proper radiological and endometric diagnosis before the beginning of the endodontic treatment.