PURPOSE: The aims of the present study were to compare the image quality and visibility of tooth cracks between conventional methods and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and to develop an automatic detection technique for tooth cracks by SS-OCT imaging. METHODS: We evaluated SS-OCT with a near-infrared wavelength centered at 1,310 nm over a spectral bandwidth of 100 nm at a rate of 50 kHz as a new diagnostic tool for the detection of tooth cracks. The reliability of the SS-OCT images was verified by comparing the crack lines with those detected using conventional methods. After performing preprocessing of the obtained SS-OCT images to emphasize cracks, an algorithm was developed and verified to detect tooth cracks automatically. RESULTS: The detection capability of SS-OCT was superior or comparable to that of trans-illumination, which did not discriminate among the cracks according to depth. Other conventional methods for the detection of tooth cracks did not sense initial cracks with a width of less than 100 μm. However, SS-OCT detected cracks of all sizes, ranging from craze lines to split teeth, and the crack lines were automatically detected in images using the Hough transform. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to distinguish structural cracks, craze lines, and split lines in tooth cracks using SS-OCT images, and to automatically detect the position of various cracks in the OCT images. Therefore, the detection capability of SS-OCT images provides a useful diagnostic tool for cracked tooth syndrome.
Cracked Tooth Syndrome ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Tomography, Optical Coherence* ; Tooth Fractures ; Tooth*

Dental Cementum ; Humans ; Tooth Fractures

The management of teeth in the line of a mandibular fracture is controversial despite the general agreement that most of these teeth can be preserved. Teeth should be retained if bony attachments are adequate for survival, the tooth is sound and important in maintaining fixation of the fractured segment of bone. Teeth should be removed if they are loose and interfere with the reduction of fragments, are devitalized and potentially a source of wound infection, are damaged beyond their usefulness or may become devital and interfere with healing by becoming infected. However, tooth removal will increase the level of trauma, extend the severity of the wound and require expensive prosthetic treatment. Therefore, it is very important to conserve infected teeth in the line of a mandibular fracture through early primary endodontic treatment (pulp extirpation, canal enlargement and canal opening drainage) and splinting. The basic principles underlying the treatment of pulpless teeth are those underlying general surgery. Therefore, debridement of the infected wound (pulp extirpation and canal enlargement), drainage (canal opening) and gentle treatment of the tissues (occlusal reduction and teeth splinting) are the principles of surgery. This is a representative case report of conservative care by the early endodontic drainage of infected teeth in the line of a mandibular fracture.
Debridement ; Drainage ; Mandibular Fractures ; Tooth ; Tooth, Nonvital ; Wound Infection

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy for the detection of root fractures in CMOS-based digital periapical images with conventional film-based periapical images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty extracted single-root human teeth with closed apices were prepared endodontically and divided into two groups; artificially induced vertical root fracture group and control group. All radiographs were obtained using the paralleling technique. The radiographs were examined by 4 observers three times within a 4 week interval. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was carried out using data obtained from four observers. Intra- and inter-examiner agreements were computed using kappa analysis. RESULTS: The area under the ROC curve (Az) was used as an indicator of the diagnostic accuracy of the imaging system. Az values were as follows: direct-digital images; 0.93, film-based images; 0.92, and inverted digital images; 0.91. There was no significant difference between imaging modalities (P< 0.05). The kappa value of interobserver agreement was 0.42 (range: 0.28-0.60) and intra-observer agreement was 0.57 (range: 0.44-0.75). CONCLUSION: There is no statistical difference in diagnostic accuracy for the detection of vertical root fractures between digital periapical images and conventional periapical images. The results indicate that the CMOS sensor is a good image detector for the evaluation of vertical root fractures.
Humans ; Radiography, Dental, Digital ; ROC Curve ; Tooth ; Tooth Fractures

Among dental traumas, horizontal root fractures are relatively uncommon injuries. Proper initial management and periodical evaluation is essential for the successful treatment of a root-fractured tooth. If pulpal necrosis develops, endodontic treatment is indicated, exclusively for the coronal fragment. Fragment diastases exert a great influence on healing at the fracture line and on pulpal necrosis. An adequately treated root-fractured tooth has a good prognosis. This case report describes the treatment and 2-yr follow up of 3 maxillary central incisors, first with horizontal root fracture, second with horizontal root fracture and avulsion, and third with horizontal root fracture and lateral luxation. All three cases were treated with mineral trioxide aggregate (ProRoot, Dentsply). During 2 yr of follow-up evaluation, the root-fractured teeth of the present patients were well retained in the arch, showing periodontal healing, even after endodontic treatment.
Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Incisor ; Necrosis ; Prognosis ; Tooth ; Tooth Fractures

Vertical root fracture (VRF) is different from odontoclasis caused by trauma or injury. VRF is defined as a complete or incomplete fracture of roots caused by long-term and persistent stimulus, such as excessive forces from mastication or occlusion, improper tooth anatomy, and tooth treatment accident. Early diagnosis of VRF is essential to prevent the absorption of alveolar bone, thereby improving prognosis. Radiographic examination is the most common and effective evaluation method for VRF. Cone beam computed tomography can provide three-dimensional information for fracture details, which are more precise than traditional periapical films. In this paper, we present the radiographic features, differential diagnosis, and new treatment techniques for VRF.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Humans ; Tooth Fractures ; Tooth Root

This case presents vertical root fracture with vital pulp in mandibular right first molar. Examinations of the history, clinical tests, laser Doppler flowmetry, and radiographs revealed that the tooth showed positive response to electric pulp testing and was normal compared with the healthy control tooth. This study aimed to use a novel vital preserving surgical technique (microapical surgery and nanometer bioactive materials) to make an effective therapeutic decision for the vital tooth with vertical root fracture.
Dental Pulp ; Humans ; Molar ; Tooth Fractures ; Tooth Root

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The use of small diameter implants having less than 3 mm in diameter were restricted because of lack of bonding strength to bone. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to observe how much resorbable blast media pin implants increase the binding force to the bone compared to machined transitional pin implants by measuring removal torque, and whether they can be used as final implants for replacement of small diameter teeth. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifteen rabbits were used in this study. Two kinds of implants (resorbable blast media pin implants and machined transitional pin implants) were inserted in each tibia bicortically. After healing time of 2, 4 and 8 weeks, the removal torque values were recorded and the rabbits were sacrificed for histological analysis. Linear finite element method analyses were conducted to compare bicortical fixation with monocortical fixation. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: Within the limitation of this in vivo study, the following conclusions were drawn: 1) The removal torque value of RBM pin implants showed statistically significant increase compared to machined pin implants at 2, 4, and 8 weeks respectively (p<0.05). 2) The removal torque value of RBM pin implants at 2, 4, and 8 weeks was increased statistically significantly with time (p<0.05). 3) Bicortical fixation showed better stress distribution compared with monocortical fixation in a linear finite element method analysis. 4) RBM pin implants are not recommended as transitional implants because they showed a lot of bone fracture in histologic specimens.
Fractures, Bone ; Rabbits ; Tibia* ; Tooth ; Torque*

OBJECTIVETo study the effective method of early treatment on cracked tooth.

METHODSSixty cracked teeth were randomly divided into Group A and Group B. Teeth of Group A were treated by means of occlusal adjustment and filling. Teeth of Group B were treated by employing porcelain complete veneer crown. Curative effect was evaluated every half a year and last 2 years.

RESULTSThe achievement ratio of Group A and Group B was 53.33% and 83.33%. There was significant difference between them (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONPorcelain complete veneer crown is a better method to treat cracked tooth. It can decrease the occurrence of pulpitis and fracture.

PURPOSE: Aims to analyze the occlusal wear patterns in maxillary posterior teeth with palatal side abfractions and study the association between occlusal force and abfractions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in a total of 308 teeth from 148 patients with palatal side abfractions in maxillary posterior teeth. The occlusal wears in maxillary premolars and molars with palatal side abfractions were classified and recorded. The classification was done by type of teeth, age, and gender, and in order to evaluate the statistical significance between groups, chi-square test was conducted (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Palatal side abfractions in maxillary posterior teeth were observed at the highest frequency in the 1st molars, and in all teeth with palatal side abfractions, more than one occlusal wear was observed. In classification by type of teeth, by age, and by gender, the occlusal wears in teeth with palatal side abfractions were observed at high frequency in cuspal inclined plane, central fossa, and marginal ridge, and there was a statistical significance (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Palatal side abfractions were observed at the highest frequency in maxillary 1st molars, and in all maxillary posterior teeth where palatal side abfractions were found, the occlusal wears were observed. And the occlusal wears were observed at high frequency in cuspal inclined plane, central fossa and marginal ridge. Such results show that abfraction is associated with occlusal force.
Bicuspid ; Bite Force ; Classification ; Humans ; Molar ; Tooth Attrition ; Tooth Fractures ; Tooth