Does cone-beam computed tomography examination increase the micronuclei frequency in the oral mucosa exfoliated cells? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective This systematic review (SR) with meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the frequency of micronuclei in the oral mucosa exfoliated cells after cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) examination. Methods We performed language-independent computer-assisted data searches using PubMed databases, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science all databases, and Google Scholar. The literature on micronucleus (MN) frequency of clinical trials before and after CBCT examination was included. The frequency of MN in exfoliated cells of the human oral mucosa was the primary outcome of the study. All statistical analyses were performed with R (version 4.1.0), RStudio (version 2022.02.2 + 485) software, and Meta packages (version 5.2–0). Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the included studies by the EPHPP (Effective Public Health Practice Project) Modified scale with minor modifications. The heterogeneity of the data was analyzed using I2 statistics, in which I2 > 50% was considered substantial heterogeneity. Results A total of 559 articles were selected through the search strategy. After screening titles and abstracts, nine full-text manuscripts were assessed for eligibility, and six observational studies were included in the meta-analysis. The present study showed a significant increase in MN frequency of human oral mucosal exfoliated cells 10 days after CBCT examination compared to baseline (SMD = − 0.56, 95%-CI = − 0.99 ~ − 0.13, p = 0.01). Because of the high heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 72%), after removing one study that was the main source of heterogeneity, excluding the study (I2 = 47%), the common-effect model was chosen, and the meta-analysis also showed that the frequency of MN in human oral mucosa exfoliated cells increased significantly 10 days after CBCT examination (SMD = − 0.35, 95%-CI = − 0.59 ~ − 0.11, p = 0.004). Conclusion This review suggested that CBCT examination increases the frequency of micronuclei in oral mucosal exfoliated cells.

Epidemiological Trends and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Oral Leukoplakia: A Retrospective Analysis From a Single Institution in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

“…WHO defines it as a non-scrapable white patch or plaque that cannot otherwise be characterized clinically or pathologically as any other disease. The prevalence of oral leukoplakia is estimated at 1.0% to 4.2% worldwide [2]. Dentists commonly encounter oral leukoplakia in their daily practice, and a definitive diagnosis of oral leukoplakia is made by histopathological examination post-biopsy.…”

Image fusion-based low-dose CBCT enhancement method for visualizing miniscrew insertion in the infrazygomatic crest

“…Therefore, dentists should use CBCT scans with caution to minimize the radiation dose received by the patient and use lower dose scanning parameters whenever possible. In addition, patients should be informed of the potential risks and an adequate risk and benefit assessment should be performed before undergoing a CBCT scan [14]. CBCT images with stainless steel crowns implants or restorations will show streaks and shadows due to its imaging properties, which reduces the contrast of the image, and low-quality CBCT also introduces an additional error at the alignment stage, leading to a reduction in accuracy.…”