Therapeutic injections into the craniofacial region can be a complex procedure because of the nature of its anatomical structure. This technical note demonstrates a process for creating an extra-oral template to inject therapeutic substances into the temporomandibular joint and the lateral pterygoid muscle. The described process involves merging cone-beam computed tomography data and extra-oral facial scans obtained using a mobile device to establish a correlated data set for virtual planning. Virtual injection points were simulated using existing dental implant planning software to assist clinicians in precisely targeting specific anatomical structures. A template was designed and then 3D printed. The printed template showed adequate surface fit. This innovative process demonstrates a potential new clinical technique. However, further validation and in vivo trials are necessary to assess its full potential.

Therapeutic injections into the craniofacial region can be a complex procedure because of the nature of its anatomical structure. This technical note demonstrates a process for creating an extra-oral template to inject therapeutic substances into the temporomandibular joint and the lateral pterygoid muscle. The described process involves merging cone-beam computed tomography data and extra-oral facial scans obtained using a mobile device to establish a correlated data set for virtual planning. Virtual injection points were simulated using existing dental implant planning software to assist clinicians in precisely targeting specific anatomical structures. A template was designed and then 3D printed. The printed template showed adequate surface fit. This innovative process demonstrates a potential new clinical technique. However, further validation and in vivo trials are necessary to assess its full potential.

PURPOSE: In the present study, we coined the term 'alveolar dome' and aimed to demonstrate the prevalence of alveolar domes through digital periapical radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study examined 800 digital periapical radiographs in regard to the presence of alveolar domes. The periapical radiographs were acquired by a digital system using a photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plate. The χ2 test, with a significance level of 5%, was used to compare the prevalence of alveolar domes in the maxillary posterior teeth and, considering the same teeth, to verify the difference in the prevalence of dome-shaped phenomena between the roots. RESULTS: The prevalence of alveolar domes present in the first pre-molars was statistically lower as compared to the other maxillary posterior teeth (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in the prevalence of alveolar domes between the maxillary first and second molars. Considering the maxillary first and second molars, it was observed that the palatal root presented a lower prevalence of alveolar domes when compared to the distobuccal and mesiobuccal roots (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study coined the term 'alveolar dome', referring to the anatomical projection of the root into the floor of the maxillary sinus. The maxillary first and second molars presented a greater prevalence of alveolar domes, especially in the buccal roots, followed by the third molars and second pre-molars. Although the periapical radiograph is a two-dimensional method, it can provide dentists with the auxiliary information necessary to identify alveolar domes, thus improving diagnosis, planning, and treatment.
Dentists ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Methods ; Molar ; Molar, Third ; Numismatics ; Prevalence* ; Radiography, Dental, Digital ; Tooth ; Tooth Root