Comparative evaluation among different materials to replace soft tissue in oral radiology studies

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to establish which materials afford better simulation of soft tissues in Oral Radiology studies.Material and MethodsThe sample was composed of four materials in eleven different thicknesses to simulate the soft tissues of the face. The mean values of the relative amounts of radiographic contrast of the materials were determined and compared to a gold standard value, which was obtained from 20 patients who were referred to have periapical radiographs taken of the left mandibular molars. Data were subjected to statistical analysis with Dunnett's test (p<0.05).ResultsThe mean value of the relative amounts of contrast encountered in the patients was 0.47, with a range between 0.36 and 0.64 for all 44 material/thickness combinations. The majority of the tested materials showed values close to those of the patients’ tissues, without statistically significant differences among them. The values of only three materials/ thickness combinations differed statistically from those of the patients’ tissues.ConclusionsBased on the results of the present study, it may be concluded that except for utility wax (4 mm and 8 mm) and water (4 mm), all materials tested at different thickness could be used as soft tissue substitute materials in Oral Radiology studies.

The Use of Cone-beam Computed Tomography and Digital Periapical Radiographs to Diagnose Root Perforations

“…The teeth were placed in premade sockets in dry human mandibles bilaterally in the posterior region. The mandibles were coated with three layers of dental wax buccally and lingually to simulate soft tissue (11,18). The total thickness of the wax layer was 1.5 mm.…”

Comparison of changes in dental and bone radiographic densities in the presence of different soft-tissue simulators using pixel intensity and digital subtraction analyses

“…3 The use of soft-tissue simulation materials having densities similar to the tissues found in patients in a real environment helps avoid exposure of patients to excessive radiation during in vivo studies. 4 Based on literature, the use of soft-tissue simulators, such as acrylic plates, 2,4-8 wax, 2,4,9,10 water, 11-14 wood 4,15,16 and bovine tissue 17 has been tested in different ways with respect to the nature and/or the thickness of the material put around dry mandibles. 2,5,16 It is important that these simulation materials are accurately reproducible, measurable and are ready for use in any circumstances.…”

In Vitro Comparison of Diagnostic Accuracy of DIAGNOdent and Digital Radiography for Detection of Secondary Proximal Caries Adjacent to Composite Restorations

“…However, its diagnostic efficacy was not significantly different from that of digital radiography; this finding is in line with the results of some other studies. 6,18,19 Bonding agents, applied to the cavity floor beneath composite restorations may compromise accurate radiographic detection of secondary caries and even result in misdiagnosis, especially if placed in a thick layer. Thus, in the current study, similar to that of Kositbowornchai et al, these materials were not used.…”

“…To simulate the absorption properties of soft tissue, a 4 cm-thick acrylic block (polymethyl methacrylate) measuring 15 × 15 cm was placed between the x-ray tube and dental blocks. 18 Interpretation of Radiographs All digital radiographs were displayed on a 19-inch (Samsung, SyncMaster) monitor with a resolution of 1360 × 768 pixels using SCANORA Lite software. Radiographs were evaluated in a semi-dark room by four observers: an oral and maxillofacial radiologist, a restorative dentist, a general dentist with 20 years of clinical experience and a senior dental student.…”