Panoramic and intraoral radiographs are the basic imaging modalities used in dentistry. Often they are the only imaging techniques required for delineation of dental anatomy or pathology. Panoramic radiography produces a single image of the maxilla, mandible, teeth, temporomandibular joints and maxillary sinuses. During the exposure the x-ray source and detector rotate synchronously around the patient producing a curved surface tomography. It can be supplemented with intraoral radiographs. However, these techniques give only a two-dimensional view of complicated three-dimensional (3D) structures. As in the other fields of imaging also dentomaxillofacial imaging has moved towards 3D imaging. Since the late 1990s cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) devices have been designed specifically for dentomaxillofacial imaging, allowing accurate 3D imaging of hard tissues with a lower radiation dose, lower cost and easier availability for dentists when compared with multislice CT. Panoramic and intraoral radiographies are still the basic imaging methods in dentistry. CBCT should be used in more demanding cases. In this review the anatomy with the panoramic view will be presented as well as the benefits of the CBCT technique in comparison to the panoramic technique with some examples. Also the basics as well as common errors and pitfalls of these techniques will be discussed.Teaching Points• Panoramic and intraoral radiographs are the basic imaging methods in dentomaxillofacial radiology.• CBCT imaging allows accurate 3D imaging of hard tissues.• CBCT offers lower costs and asmaller size and radiation dose compared with MSCT.• The disadvantages of CBCT imaging are poor soft tissue contrast and artefacts.• The Sedentexct project has developed evidence-based guidelines on the use of CBCT in dentistry.

Genetic polymorphisms of MMP3 and VDR are linked to initial periodontitis in Finnish adolescents, and the aMMP-8 chairside test can eventually detect initial periodontitis in young patients with predisposing genetic background.

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Background This cross‐sectional study aims to investigate if a point‐of‐care (PoC) test of active matrix metalloproteinase‐8 (aMMP‐8) predicts levels of inflammation amplifier triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells‐1 (TREM‐1) and its putative ligand the neutrophil peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 (PGLYRP1) in saliva. Methods Forty‐seven adolescents, aged 15 to 17 years, were tested with aMMP‐8 PoC test, which was followed by a full‐mouth clinical examination of the assessment of periodontal, mucosal, and oral health. TREM‐1 and PGLYRP1 levels were analyzed by ELISA. The immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) specific for aMMP‐8 was used as the reference method. Results Fourteen saliva samples out of a total of 47 showed positivity for aMMP‐8 PoC test. Both the TREM‐1 and the aMMP‐8 (IFMA) levels were significantly elevated among the aMMP‐8 PoC test positives compared with the PoC test negatives (P < 0.05). Moreover, aMMP‐8 levels assessed by IFMA showed a strong positive correlation with TREM‐1 levels in saliva (r = 0.777, P < 0.001). The number of sites with a probing depth of ≥4 mm was significantly lower among the adolescents that had a negative aMMP‐8 PoC test result, and TREM‐1 levels < 75 pg/mL (P < 0.05). In contrast, adolescents with a positive aMMP‐8 PoC test result (i.e., elevated aMMP‐8 levels) together with elevated TREM‐1 levels had a significantly higher number of periodontal pockets with ≥4 mm (P < 0.001). Conclusion The present study validated usability of aMMP‐8 PoC test for predicting “proinflammatory” salivary profile and periodontal health status in adolescents.

Inclusion of only the actual area of interest in the image field should be considered case-specifically as a means to reduce the radiation dose.

Most DPTs and LCRs had been performed sub-optimally. An abundancy of DPTs had been taken using an adult programme, and the field-size had not been sufficiently adjusted in LCRs, possibly for technical reasons. To facilitate adherence to radiological best practice the equipment used for DPTs and LCRs should facilitate the adjustment of field-size in both the vertical and horizontal planes. In addition, those involved in taking radiographs should maintain their skills through regular update courses.

Objectives In children and adolescents, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is frequently used for localization of unerupted or impacted teeth in the anterior maxilla. CBCT causes a higher radiation dose than conventional intraoral and panoramic imaging. The objective was to analyze the location of impacted canines in a three-dimensional coordinate and thereby optimize the CBCT field-of-view (FOV), for radiation dose reduction. Materials and methods Location of 50 impacted maxillary canines of children under 17 years was retrospectively evaluated from CBCT scans. The minimum and maximum distances of any part of the right-and left-side canines to three anatomic reference planes were measured to assess the adequate size and position of a cylindrical image volume. Results A cylinder sized 39.0 (diameter) × 33.2 (height) mm, with its top situated 13.8 mm above the hard palate, its medial edge 8.4 mm across the midline, and anterior edge 2.5 mm in front of the labial surface of maxillary central incisors fitted all the analyzed canines. Conclusions In this sample, the FOV required for imaging maxillary impacted canines was smaller than the smallest FOV offered by common CBCT devices. We encourage development of indication-specific CBCT imaging programs and aids to facilitate optimum patient positioning. Clinical relevance An impacted maxillary canine is a common dental problem and a frequent indication for 3D imaging particularly in growing individuals. This article focuses on the optimization of CBCT of impacted canines. Our recommendation of a reduced FOV promotes radiation safety.

The reproducibility between specialists in oral radiology and general dentists for detecting caries in DPTs was low.