Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the amount of height available for a maxillary sinus augmentation procedure without blocking the ostium and jeopardizing the drainage of the ostiomeatal complex using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 sinonasal complexes comprising 100 dentate and 100 edentulous scans were retrospectively assessed using CBCT. Invivo 5.0, a CBCT reconstruction program, was used for image evaluation. The coronal section demonstrating the ostiomeatal complex was selected as a reference view to perform measurements of the sinus. The measurements were done by 2 evaluators in separate sessions. Comparative analyses of measurements were performed between dentate and edentulous patients and between male and female patients. Results: The safe height to which the sinus can be elevated without compromising the integrity of the ostiomeatal complex was calculated for each sinus. In the presence of significant mucosal thickening, the height available for augmentation was calculated by subtracting the height of mucosal thickening from the sinus floor to the location of the ostium. In this study, the available height was approximately 27.05 mm for dentate and 23.40 mm for edentulous patients. The inter-operator reliability was excellent for all the parameters evaluated. Conclusion This retrospective study with a limited number of patients from a single university-based site shows that CBCT is valuable in evaluating the location and patency of the ostium for planning sinus augmentation procedures for dental implant placement.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to quantitatively analyze the bone parameters (thickness and density) at four different interdental areas from the distal region of the canine to the mesial region of the second molar in the maxilla and the mandible. The secondary aim was to compare and contrast the bone parameters at these specific locations in terms of sex, growth status, and facial type. METHODS: This retrospective cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) study reviewed 290 CBCT images of patients seeking orthodontic treatment. Cortical bone thickness in millimeters (mm) and density in pixel intensity value were measured for the regions (1) between the canine and first premolar, (2) between the first and second premolars, (3) between the second premolar and first molar, and (4) between the first and second molars. At each location, the bone thickness and density were measured at distances of 2, 6, and 10 mm from the alveolar crest. RESULTS: The sex comparison (male vs. female) in cortical bone thickness showed no significant difference (p > 0.001). The bone density in growing subjects was significantly (p < 0.001) lower than that in non-growing subjects for most locations. There was no significant difference (p > 0.001) in bone parameters in relation to facial pattern in the maxilla and mandible for most sites. CONCLUSIONS There was no significant sex-related difference in cortical bone thickness. The buccal cortical bone density was higher in females than in males. Bone parameters were similar for subjects with hyperdivergent, hypodivergent, and normodivergent facial patterns.

Purpose: This study investigated the prevalence of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders image analysis criteria, assessed the severity of incidental osteoarthritic changes affecting the TMJ, and evaluated the correlations of sex and age with the prevalence and severity of TMJ-OA. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study assessed 145 randomly selected cone-beam computed tomography scans (261 TMJs) from the authors’ institutional maxillofacial radiology archive following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The criteria described by Ahmad et al. were used to determine whether each TMJ was affected by OA, and the severity of the osteoarthritic changes was scored for each joint based on the method described by Alexiou et al. The chi-square, McNemar, Bhapkar chi-square, and Stuart-Maxwell chi-square tests were applied to evaluate the significance of the relationships between variables (age and sex). Results: Sixteen TMJs (6.1%) had no OA, 74 (28.6%) were indeterminate for OA, and 171 (65.5%) had OA. Flattening and sclerosis were observed in 86.6% and 12.3% of cases, respectively, while resorption was observed in 7.3% of the joints. Only 21 (8.1%) of the examined TMJs had subchondral cysts. Erosion of the articular eminence was observed in 58 (22.1%) cases, while sclerosis and resorption were found in 68 (25.9%) and 16 (6.1%) TMJs, respectively. Conclusion Female patients had a higher prevalence and severity of TMJ-OA than male patients. The prevalence and severity of TMJ-OA increased with age, with peaks in the fifth and seventh decades of life.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the quantity and quality of the mandibular anterior alveolar bone in terms of alveolar width, density, and total alveolar height (TAH) based on dental status, gender, and age. Additionally, this study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the available alveolar height for graft harvesting (AHGH) and examine its variability based on the aforementioned factors. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cone-beam computed tomographic study included a total of 100 subjects. On the basis of gender, dental status, and age, the scans were divided into 3 primary groups and 8 subgroups. The mandibular alveolar width and density were measured 5 mm mesial to the mental foramen bilaterally and at the midline. The TAH was measured at the midline, and the AHGH was measured as the midline distance between 5 mm apical to the root of the canines and 5 mm superior to the lower border. Results: The mandibular alveolar width was statistically similar between dentulous and edentulous patients (p>0.05). A significantly greater density was observed at the midline in edentulous patients (p<0.05). The TAH was significantly greater in edentulous male patients than in edentulous female patients (p<0.05). Dentulous and male patients had significantly greater AHGH than edentulous and female patients, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion Based on the data evaluated in this study, it can be concluded that the mandibular symphyseal area has adequate bone quality and quantity for bone graft harvesting for dental implant therapy.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising within the lining of an odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a rare occurrence. Although potentially locally destructive, OKC is a benign odontogenic process that typically presents with clinical and radiographic features characteristic of a benign intraosseous neoplasm. We present the clinical and radiographic features of a maxillary mass that demonstrated SCC arising from the lining of an OKC. Although the initial clinical and radiographic presentation suggested an infection or malignant neoplasm, biopsies revealed an infiltrative well-differentiated SCC contiguous with and arising from the focus of a pre-existing OKC. The patient subsequently underwent a type II hemi-maxillectomy with neoadjuvant chemoradiation. This report discusses the clinical and radiographic features associated with intraosseous malignancies, especially those arising from an otherwise benign odontogenic lesion. While the majority of OKCs are benign, the current report illustrates the potential for carcinomatous transformation within the lining of an OKC.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Epithelial Cells* ; Humans ; Maxilla ; Odontogenic Cysts*

PURPOSE: Pineal gland calcification has been proposed to play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. This study evaluated the prevalence and extent of pineal gland calcification in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of patients referred for dental implant therapy who could possibly be a vulnerable group for this condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of 500 CBCT scans was conducted. Scans that showed the area where the pineal gland was located were included. The scans were initially screened by a single observer to record the prevalence and extent of calcification. Six weeks following the completion of the study, another investigator randomly reviewed and selected 50 scans to investigate inter-observer variation, which was evaluated using reliability analysis statistics. The prevalence and measurements of the calcifications were reported using descriptive statistics. The chi-square test was used to compare the prevalence between males and females. RESULTS: The prevalence of pineal gland calcification was 58.8%. There was no statistically significant correlation between age and the extent of the calcification. The prevalence of calcification was 58.6% in females and 59.0% in males. The average anteroposterior measurement was 3.73±1.63 mm, while the average mediolateral measurement was 3.47±1.31 mm. The average total calcified area was 9.79±7.59 mm². CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pineal gland calcification was high in patients undergoing implant therapy. While not all pineal gland calcifications lead to neurodegenerative disorders, they should be strongly considered in the presence of any symptoms as a reason to initiate further investigations.
Alzheimer Disease ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dental Implants ; Female ; Humans ; Incidental Findings* ; Male ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Observer Variation ; Pineal Gland* ; Prevalence* ; Research Personnel ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of surgical mini-implant placement when potential mini-implant sites were scanned using a lower-dose 180° acquisition protocol versus a conventional 360° acquisition protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten dentate human skulls were used to provide sites for potential mini-implant placement. The sites were randomly divided into 2 groups: 360° and 180° cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) acquisition protocols. A small-volume 180° CBCT scan and a 360° CBCT scan of each site were acquired using a Morita Accuitomo-170 CBCT machine and then a mini-implant was placed. A follow-up 360° CBCT scan was done as a gold standard to evaluate the location of the mini-implant and root perforation. Two raters evaluated the scans. RESULTS: Ninety-eight percent of the mini-implants placed did not perforate any root structure. Two percent of the sites had an appearance suggestive of perforation. On a Likert scale, both raters agreed that their subjective evaluation of the diagnostic quality of the protocols, ability to make and read measurements of the sites, and preferences for the specified diagnostic task were comparable. The Cohen kappa showed high inter-rater and intra-rater agreement. CONCLUSION: In this ex vivo study, we found that the 180° rotational acquisition was as effective as the conventional 360° rotational acquisition for the preoperative evaluation of potential mini-implant sites.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dental Implants ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Skull

PURPOSE: Sinus elevation procedures have become a routine and reliable way to gain bone volume in the edentulous maxilla for dental implant placement. Presence of bony septations and pathology in the maxillary sinus often cause complications leading to graft or implant failure or both. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the prevalence of pathology, direction of the septa, and sinus width measured at 2 mm, 5 mm, and 10 mm from the sinus floor in maxillary sinuses using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two sinuses from 36 random preoperative CBCT scans referred for implant therapy were retrospectively evaluated for the number, prevalence, and direction of bony septations and presence of pathology. Width of the sinus was also measured at 2 mm, 5 mm, and 10 mm from the sinus floor to account for the amount of bone available for implant placement. RESULTS: Maxillary sinus septa were found in 59.7%. Presence of a single septum was noted in 20 sinuses (27.7%), followed by two septa in 17 sinuses. The most common direction of the septum was the transverse direction. Retention pseudocyst and mucosal thickening were the most commonly seen abnormality/pathology. CONCLUSION: Based on the high prevalence of septa and sinus pathology in this sample, a preoperative CBCT scan might be helpful in minimizing complications during sinus augmentation procedures for dental implant therapy.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography* ; Dental Implants ; Maxilla ; Maxillary Sinus* ; Pathology* ; Prevalence* ; Retrospective Studies* ; Transplants

Arrested pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus is a developmental variant that is not always well recognized and is often confused with other pathologies associated with the skull base. This report describes the case of a patient referred for cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging for dental implant therapy. CBCT demonstrated a well-defined incidental lesion in the left sphenoid sinus with soft tissue-like density and sclerotic borders with internal curvilinear opacifications. The differential diagnoses included intraosseous lipoma, arrested pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus, chondrosarcoma, chondroid chordoma, and ossifying fibroma. The radiographic diagnosis of arrested pneumatization was based on the location of the lesion, its well-defined nature, the presence of internal opacifications, and lack of expansion. Gray-scale CBCT imaging of the area demonstrated values similar to fatty tissue. This case highlighted the fact that benign developmental variants associated with the skull base share similar radiographic features with more serious pathological entities.
Adipose Tissue ; Chondrosarcoma ; Chordoma ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dental Implants ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fibroma, Ossifying ; Humans ; Lipoma ; Pathology ; Skull Base* ; Sphenoid Sinus*

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the reliability of the identification of anatomical landmarks in panoramic and lateral cephalometric radiographs on a standard medical grade picture archiving communication system (PACS) monitor and a tablet computer (iPad 5). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1000 radiographs, including 500 panoramic and 500 lateral cephalometric radiographs, were retrieved from the de-identified dataset of the archive of the Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology of the University Of Connecticut School Of Dental Medicine. Major radiographic anatomical landmarks were independently reviewed by two examiners on both displays. The examiners initially reviewed ten panoramic and ten lateral cephalometric radiographs using each imaging system, in order to verify interoperator agreement in landmark identification. The images were scored on a four-point scale reflecting the diagnostic image quality and exposure level of the images. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two displays regarding the visibility and clarity of the landmarks in either the panoramic or cephalometric radiographs. CONCLUSION: Tablet computers can reliably show anatomical landmarks in panoramic and lateral cephalometric radiographs.
Archives ; Connecticut ; Dataset ; Humans ; Radiography, Dental, Digital ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Radiology Information Systems