BackgroundThe CBCT imaging technique exhibits proper accuracy to determine the internal anatomy of teeth. Therefore, this technique can use to estimate age by measuring the amount of decrease in the volume of the pulpal cavity of teeth. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between chronological age and pulp-to-tooth volume ratios in anterior teeth with the use of the CBCT technique and to determine a regression model to estimate human age.Material and MethodsIn this present descriptive-analytical study, 122 subjects (46 males and 76 females), with an age range of 13-70 years, were evaluated. The MIMICS software program was used to determine the pulp-to-tooth volume ratios in 732 anterior teeth. Regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between age and pulp to tooth volume ratios.ResultsIn all the teeth evaluated, there was an inverse and significant correlation between age and the pulp-to-tooth volume ratios in males and females, with a stronger correlation in males. In addition, such a correlation was stronger in maxillary central incisors and canines. In the model in which the mean of ratios in anterior teeth was used to estimate age the correlation was stronger compared to that in single tooth.ConclusionsIn general, the results of the present study showed that it is advisable to use the mean of all the ratios of anterior teeth in forensics to estimate age. Key words:Age estimation , cone-beam CT, forensic dentistry, secondary dentin, pulp cavity.

BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the diameter, relationship and position of the posterior superior alveolar artery and its relationship with the alveolar ridge, the medial wall of the maxillary sinus, the prevalence of pathologic conditions and the maxillary sinus septa on CBCT images.Material and MethodsA total of 200 CBCT images (400 maxillary sinuses) of patients over 20 years of age were evaluated. The distances between the lower border of the artery and the alveolar crest and between the artery and the medial wall of the sinus and the diameter of the artery were measured. The position of the artery, the presence of pathologic conditions and septa were recorded in the posterior region in: a) males edentulous in the posterior region; b) males having teeth in the posterior region; c) females edentulous in the posterior region; and d) females having teeth in the posterior region.ResultsThe mean distance between the artery and the alveolar crest, irrespective of groupings, was 16.17±1.63 mm, with significant differences between the groups (P<0.05). The mean distance between the artery and the medial wall of the sinus was 11.65±1.21 mm, with no significant differences between the groups (P=0.796). The mean diameter of the canal was 1.37±0.44 mm, with no significant differences between the 4 groups (P=0.570). The position of the artery was intraosseous in 73.2%, beneath the sinus membrane in 21.7% and external to the lateral wall of the sinus in 4.9% of the cases. The overall prevalence rates of pathologic conditions and septa in the maxillary sinus were 45.7% and 26%, respectively.ConclusionsCBCT technique is useful for such evaluations and for possible variations in maxillary sinuses and presence of septa and pathologic entities in maxillary sinuses. Key words:Maxillary sinus, maxillary artery, Cone-Beam computed tomography.

Background. This study was undertaken to assess the pathological and spatial associations between periapical and periodontal diseases of the maxillary first molars and thickening of maxillary sinus mucosa with cone-beam computed tomography. Methods. A total of 132 CBCT images of subjects 20‒60 years of age were evaluated retrospectively. The patients' sex and age and demographic and pathologic findings of the maxillary sinus in the first molar area were recorded, graded and analyzed. Results. Approximately 59% of patients were male and 41% were female, with no significant difference in the thickness of schneiderian membrane between males and females. Based on the periapical index scoring, the highest frequency was detected in group 1. Based on the results of ANOVA, there were no significant differences in the frequencies of endodontic‒periodontal lesions and an increase in schneiderian membrane thickness. There were significant relationships between periapical and periodontal infections (P<0.001) and schneiderian membrane thickness. Furthermore, a significant relationship was detected between the thickness of the schneiderian membrane and the distance between the sinus floor and the root apices (P=0.38). Conclusion. A retrospective inspection of CBCT imaging revealed that periapical lesions and periodontal infections in the posterior area of the maxilla were associated with thickening of the schneiderian membrane. In addition, there was a significant relationship between the location of maxillary posterior teeth, i.e. the thickness of bone from the root apex to the maxillary sinus floor, and schneiderian membrane thickness.

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Objectives: Refractory periodontitis is the occurrence of additional clinical attachment loss after repeated attempts to control the infection with conventional periodontal therapy. Some microorganisms seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic refractory periodontitis. The prevalence of Enterococcus faecalis in the oral cavity seems to be higher in individuals with periodontitis. Therefore, the present study investigated the presence of E. faecalis in subgingival biofilm of patients with chronic refractory periodontal disease. Study design: Periodontal treatment was instituted for 100 patients suffering from chronic periodontitis. Then samples were obtained from 27 successfully treated and 27 chronic refractory periodontitis subjects and then cultured. Statistical evaluation was performed for descriptive purposes. Results: 27% of the patients had chronic refractory periodontitis. The difference in the presence of E. faecalis in the pockets between the successfully treated (11.1%) and chronic refractory (51.8%) groups by culture methods was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Data showed that E. faecalis is probably involved in the pathogenesis of refractory periodontitis. Accurate knowledge about the pathogen and its role in the pathogenesis of refractory infections helps develop effective treating strategies.

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Background. The aim of the present study was to compare coronally advanced flap (CAF) plus amniotic membrane (AM) to CAF with connective tissue graft (CTG) in the treatment of Miller’s class I and II gingival recessions.Methods. Eleven healthy subjects with thirty Miller’s class І and ІІ gingival recessions ≥3 mm, were selevted for this research and randomly assigned to two groups in a split-mouth design. In the control group gingival recessions were treated with CAF and CTG; however, in the test group the lesions were treated with (AM) and CAF. The clinical parameters, including recession depth (RD), recession width (RW), keratinized tissue width (WKT), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL), were measured at baseline and 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.01.Results. Position changes of RD, RW, CAL, and MGJ were significant between baseline and one month after surgery (P < 0.01) in both the test and control groups and these values remained unchanged at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. There were no statistically significant differences in PD and WKT between baseline and 1-, 3- and 6-months intervals postoperatively. The mean root coverage values after 6 months were 75.5% and 63.1% for two groups, respectively. The mean recession depth reductions were 2.63±0.63 mm and 2±1.4 mm in the test and control groups, respectively. Conclusion. The results of this research showed that application of AM instead of connective tissue decreased surgical operation time and patient discomfort but the amount of root coverage was not significantly different between the two methods.

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