Search

Cone beam computed tomography is a form of tomographic imaging. It is a derivative of multidetector computed tomography. CBCT is a technology characterized by compromises. As a consequence, CBCT has limited capabilities, most notably the inability to differentiate soft tissue densities and meager computational capacities of the image-processing system. The principal advantage of CBCT is its dimensional accuracy and high spatial resolution. Moreover, it is vastly less expensive and generally exhibits lower radiation dose than its forerunner, MDCT. A critical view of the literature reflects that the evidence-based applications of CBCT in craniomaxillofacial surgery are restricted.

Each year ~5.4 million children and adolescents in the United States suffer from dental infections, leading to pulp necrosis, arrested tooth-root development and tooth loss. Apical revascularization, adopted by the American Dental Association for its perceived ability to enable postoperative tooth-root growth, is being accepted worldwide. The objective of the present study is to perform a meta-analysis on apical revascularization. Literature search yielded 22 studies following PRISMA with pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated to account for inter-examiner variation. Following apical revascularization with 6- to 66-month recalls, root apices remained open in 13.9% cases (types I), whereas apical calcification bridge formed in 47.2% (type II) and apical closure (type III) in 38.9% cases. Tooth-root lengths lacked significant postoperative gain among all subjects (p = 0.3472) or in subgroups. Root-dentin area showed significant increases in type III, but not in types I or II cases. Root apices narrowed significantly in types II and III, but not in type I patients. Thus, apical revascularization facilitates tooth-root development but lacks consistency in promoting root lengthening, widening or apical closure. Post-operative tooth-root development in immature permanent teeth represents a generalized challenge to regenerate diseased pediatric tissues that must grow to avoid organ defects.

Because of increasing concern about health care expenditures and efficient use of diagnostic tests, standard methods are now being used to evaluate the efficacy of radiographic diagnostic tests in dentistry. Inside this article, standard assessment techniques are reviewed and recommendations for dental radiographic practices are provided. Many technical factors and treatment philosophies affect the way dental radiology is practiced. Some, like minimum tube filtration, are legislated. Others, like proper darkroom techniques, are universally acknowledged as essential. Still others, like the selection of an image receptor and the selection of the type of examination, are the subject of much discussion and debate. This article addresses some of the more controversial options and choices facing dental practitioners by reviewing the standard assessment techniques available to help make appropriate decisions, by summarizing and analyzing available data, and by offering recommendations for practice.

Efficacy of HPLC in the quality control of commonly-used 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals has been evaluated using different columns. μ-Bondagel and μ-Bondapak columns were found to be suitable for the separation of 99mTcO4− from 99mTc-labeled HSA and HIDA, respectively. Both of these columns offered marginal utility for DTPA, MDP and PPi.

Normal values for the Cephalometrics for Orthognathic Surgery (COGS) analysis for American black adults were developed in this study. The cephalometric radiographs of 33 black American adults with ideal dentitions were analyzed, and a statistical description of their hard and soft tissue cephalometric measurements is presented. In addition, mean values for black American adults were compared with those of white American adults. In black subjects, there was greater maxillary skeletal prognathism, skeletal lower face height, skeletal facial convexity, lower incisor proclination, anterior dental heights, upper and lower lip lengths, and soft tissue thickness of the lips and chin than in white subjects. There was less nasal depth and projection, less bony chin depth, and a smaller nasolabial angle in black subjects. The results of this study may be useful in providing racially specific cephalometric values for diagnosis and treatment planning for orthognathic surgery in American black adults.

Biodistribution and tumor uptake studies were carried out with intravenously injected tracer doses of Gpp(NH)p labeled with 3 H, 32 P or 99m Tc. Syrian golden hamsters with cheek pouch carcinomas, induced by repeated topical applications of DMBA, were used as a tumor model. The biodistributions of these three radionuclides were different, indicating significant molecular cleavage of this nucleotide analog. It was also apparent that this compound labeled with 99m Tc may not be useful for tumor imaging due to low tumor-to-blood specific activity ratio. The cheek pouch carcinoma tumor model may be valuable for the evaluation of tumor localizing radiopharmaceuticals.