This study evaluated the effects of age and sex on the location and size of the mental foramen (MF). A total of 104 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans from patients' aged 18–80 years were selected. Images were evaluated using the following parameters: position and size of the MF, and Distances A (distance from the upper limit of the MF to the apex of the first lower premolar), B (distance from the upper cortical border of the MF to the alveolar crest), and C (distance from the border of the MF to the base of the mandible). Results revealed that the location of the MF was predominantly apical (44.4%), between the long axes of the premolars, at an average distance of 4.92 mm from the root of the first lower premolar. The height of the MF was significantly different between both sexes (3.41 and 2.99 mm, resp.; mean height: 3.11 mm; P=0.003). The MF was located on average at 11.21 mm from the alveolar crest and 12.31 mm from the base of the mandible; the former measurement was significantly different between both sexes (13.13 and 11.98 mm, resp.; P ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, the location of the MF was predominantly apical between the long axes of the premolars, and the mean size and distance of the MF were greater in men.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate accuracy of linear measurements assessed from axial tomograms and the influence of the use of different protocols in two cone beam CT (CBCT) units. Methods: A cylinder object consisting of NylonH (Day Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil) with radiopaque markers was radiographically examined applying different protocols from NewTom 3G TM (Quantitative Radiology s.r.l, Verona, Veneto, Italy) and i-CAT TM (Imaging Sciences International, Hatfield, PA) units. Horizontal (A-B) and vertical (C-D) distances were assessed from axial tomograms and measured using a digital calliper that provided the gold standard for actual values. Conclusion:The use of different protocols from CBCT machines influences linear measurements assessed from axial images. Linear distances were underestimated in both equipments. Our findings suggest that the best protocol for the i-CAT TM is 13 cm 20 s 0.3 mm and for the NewTom 3G TM , the use of 6 inch or 9 inch is recommended.

Both periapical lesion and advanced periodontal bone loss are reported to be pathways to the expansion of pathologic processes from the upper posterior teeth to the sinuses (De Lima et al., 2017;

ObjectiveTo assess the degenerative bone changes of the jaw head and the condylar mobility regarding gender and age. Methods The sample was composed of 106 CBCT images for TMJ region from patients over 18 years old, from both genders, from the archives of a radiological clinic in the city RESUMO ObjetivoAvaliar as alterações ósseas degenerativas na cabeça da mandíbula e a mobilidade condilar com relação ao gênero e à faixa etária. MétodosA amostra foi constituída por 106 exames de TCFC para a região de ATM de pacientes com mais de 18 anos, do arquivo de uma clínica de radiologia odontológica, localizada na cidade de Campina Grande, PB, Brasil. As imagens foram obtidas com os pacientes em máxima intercuspidação e abertura de boca. As imagens foram examinadas por um radiologista, por meio do próprio software do tomógrafo Xoran CAT ® , usando-se um monitor com alta resolução e máxima qualidade de cor (12 bits) em ambiente com luz reduzida. Foram avaliados os aspectos tomográficos das alterações ósseas degenerativas (facetamento, erosão, osteófitos, esclerose óssea e pseudocisto) de ambas as ATM. As associações entre as alterações degenerativas e o sexo e a faixa etária foram investigadas por meio dos testes exato de Fisher, G e Qui-quadrado. Os dados obtidos quanto à excursão condilar (normoexcursão, hipoexcursão e hiperexcursão), segundo a localização também foram submetidos a análises descritivas. ResultadosAs alterações mais frequentes foram o facetamento (58,5%), seguido de osteófito (44,3%), erosão (22,6%), esclerose (13,2%) e pseudocisto (10,4%). Em relação à excursão condilar, observou-se que a normoexcursão foi a mais prevalente (71,7%). ConclusãoAs alterações ósseas degenerativas ocorreram de forma mais frequente em mulheres e de forma bilateral, e houve um aumento da frequência com a idade. Não foi encontrada correlação entre a excursão condilar e a presença de alterações na ATM, sendo a normoexcursão mais frequente.Termos de indexação: Articulação temporomandibular. Tomografia computadorizada. Osteoartrite.

We evaluated the anatomical variations of the mandibular canal associated with various facial types, age, sex, and side of the face studied. We analyzed 348 hemimandibles in subjects without a history of trauma, lesions in the lower arch, or orthognathic or repair surgery in the posterior mandible. Facial type was determined using the VERT index. The canal path was classified as Type 1 (a large, single structure passing very close to the root tips); Type 2 (a canal passing closest to the mandibular base); and Type 3 (a canal present in the posterior mandibular region, with a lower canal running through the mandibular branch, reaching the anterior region). Bifid canals (type 3) were classified into four categories according to the course and number of mandibular canals. The brachyfacial and mesofacial types presented a Type 1 canal in 95.5% (n=166) of subjects, in dolichofacial types, 68.2% (n=45) presented a Type 2 canal, while in the mesofacial type, a lower prevalence of the bifid mandibular canal was observed (13.0%, n=23) than in the other facial types. The bifid canal showed significant association with facial type only (p < 0.05), but no significant association was observed with the anterior loop type (p > 0.05). Facial type is significantly associated with the path and morphological variations of the mandibular canal, independently of the side of the face studied, age, and sex.

PurposeThis study was performed to investigate the intra- and inter-observer variability in linear measurements with axial images obtained by PreXion (PreXion Inc., San Mateo, USA) and i-CAT (Imaging Sciences International, Xoran Technologies Inc., Hatfield, USA) CBCT scanners, with different voxel sizes.Materials and MethodsA cylindrical object made from nylon with radiopaque markers (phantom) was scanned by i-CAT and PreXion 3D devices. For each axial image, measurements were taken twice in the horizontal (distance A-B) and vertical (distance C-D) directions, randomly, with a one-week interval between measurements, by four oral radiologists with five years or more experience in the use of these measuring tools.ResultsAll of the obtained linear measurements had lower values than those of the phantom. The statistical analysis showed high intra- and inter-observer reliability (p=0.297). Compared to the real measurements, the measurements obtained using the i-CAT device and PreXion tomography, on average, revealed absolute errors ranging from 0.22 to 0.59 mm and from 0.23 to 0.63 mm, respectively.ConclusionIt can be concluded that both scanners are accurate, although the linear measurements are underestimations, with no significant differences between the evaluators.

This study assessed whether the use of digital image filters influences the detection of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) bone changes on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Two radiologists evaluated the TMJ images of CBCT scans to verify the presence of osteophytes, erosions, pseudocysts, bone sclerosis and flattening, using the software XoranCAT®; each image of the TMJ was assessed with and without the use of the following filters: Angio Sharpen 3x3 and Angio Sharpen 5x5. Kruskal-Wallis’ test was used to assess whether the application of filters influenced the scores assigned to the degenerative bone changes in the condyle. Flattening was present in 15 cases (51.72%), followed by osteophytes in six cases (20.69%), sclerosis in three cases (10.34%), and erosion in three cases (10.34%), with pseudocyst found in two cases (6.90%). No statistically significant difference was found in the scores (P = 0.786) regarding the original images and those treated with both filters. Digital image filters used in our study did not influence the diagnosis of degenerative bone changes in the TMJ on CBCT images.

This study compared the acquisition protocols of the Conical Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) system, to assess the influence on image accuracy by different voxel sizes and the presence of soft tissue. Tomographic acquisition was performed in a fresh (F) and dry (D) pork jaw with voxel sizes of 0.4, 0.3 and 0.25 mm. The gold standard was obtained by scanning dry jaws covered with barium sulfate with a voxel size of 0.25 mm. The images were treated in the MIMICS® program, and noise areas were removed manually, using a fixed threshold for the purpose of generating 3D printing windows. Each window was virtually overlaid with the gold standard using the MeshLab software, obtaining absolute error values ​​between the meshes, generating a map of discrepancies. Significant differences were found between windows D 0.30 vs. F 0.30, D 0.30 vs. F 0.25, D 0.30 vs. D 0.25, D 0.30 vs. F 0.40, F 0.30 vs. D 0.25, F 0.25 vs. D 0.25, F 0.25 vs. D 0.40, D 0.25 vs. F 0.40, D 0.25 vs. D 0.40 and F 0.40 vs. D 0.40, (p <0.05). It was observed that the dry jaw windows showed a lower mean and standard deviation when compared to the fresh jaw windows. The 0.25 mm voxel protocol showed the most accurate result and the presence of soft tissues influenced the accuracy of the image when some protocols were compared statistically.