ObjectivesThere are many developmental variations in the permanent dentition. Dens invaginatus can be recognized on many dental X-rays of affected patients, but not every image allows for assessment of the type of malformation. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of dens invaginatus with radiological features using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).MethodsCBCT images of 33 patients were evaluated. Age, sex, side, lateralization, occurrence in a particular group of teeth, type of invagination, differentiation, and the consequences of these factors were analyzed.ResultsForty-one teeth with dens invaginatus met the inclusion criteria for this evaluation. Females were affected more frequently than males (57.6 vs. 42.4%, respectively). The patients’ age ranged from 7 to 40 years, and the occurrence of dens invaginatus peaked from age 9 to 13 years. In total, 92.7% of affected teeth were present in the maxilla, more often unilaterally (75.8%) than bilaterally (24.2%). The most frequent tooth with dens invaginatus was the maxillary lateral incisor (53.7% of affected teeth). Almost two-thirds (63.4%) of affected teeth were found on the left side and 36.6% were found on the right. The tooth anatomy was distorted within the crown and root. Dens invaginatus sometimes affected other surrounding teeth and reduced their esthetics.ConclusionsThe obtained data indicate that CBCT examination is an essential tool in assessing dens invaginatus and can guide dental practitioners in treating patients who exhibit characteristic features of this disorder. CBCT allows the clinician to distinguish the type of anomaly.

Purpose:The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of apical root resorption in the anterior teeth of the maxilla visible on panoramic images during orthodontic treatment with a fixed appliance. Material and methods:A total of 194 panoramic radiographs of patients with a fixed appliance in the upper arch were analysed to evaluate the severity of root resorption in maxillary incisors and canines according to Levander and Malmgren classification. The research group included 135 females and 59 males, aged 15-28 years, with a mean 20.6 years. Results:Of examined patients 75.26% had signs of apical root resorption. The tooth most frequently affected by resorptive changes was the right central upper incisor. The gender and age of the patients were not found to be significant factors. The highest number of teeth had second (II) stage root resorption (53.09%). Conclusions:Panoramic radiographs can be useful in diagnosing external apical root resorption due to orthodontic treatment.

Background The aim was to examine correlations between radiological signs of chronic periodontitis, Mandibular Inferior Cortex (MIC) index and osteoporotic fracture probability based on the FRAX BMI tool. Methods The material comprised 422 panoramic radiographs taken in patients aged 40–89, 270 females and 152 males. The severity of chronic periodontitis and resorption of mandibular inferior cortex based on MIC index were assessed. A diagnostic survey was conducted to estimate 10-year major and hip osteoporotic fracture probability (MOFP, HOFP) by means of the FRAX BMI tool - an algorithm that allows to calculate osteoporotic fracture probability based on assessing bone fracture risk factors knowing only BMI value. Results The conducted analysis based on U Mann-Whitney test revealed that mean 10-year MOFP was significantly higher ( p = 0.00) in women than in men. Mean 10-year MOFP in females was 4.8% (SD = 3.95%) and in males 3.21% (SD = 2.35%). Mean 10-year HOFP in women was 1.35% (SD = 2.07%) and was significantly higher ( p = 0.03) than in men – 0.79% (SD = 1.18%).MOFP is significantly higher in patients with moderate and severe periodontitis than in those with mild periodontitis. Significant difference between MIC values and MOFP ( p = 0.00) and HOFP ( p = 0.00) was found. Osteoporotic fracture probability was significantly higher in patients with MIC stages C2 and C3 than C1. Conclusions The FRAX BMI tool with radiological evaluation of periodontal disease severity and MIC index may be used in dental practice in determining individual risk of osteoporotic fracture in females and provide new opportunities of selecting those potentially more prone to such fractures. Trial registration The approval of the local bioethics committee was obtained (KE-0254/107/2017).

(Folia Morphol 2014; 73, 4: 449-454)

Background: Various methods are available to assess the age of a child. However, it is much more difficult to evaluate the age of an adult just on the basis of panoramic radiographs. Cameriere’s method based on measurement of pulp/tooth ratio is one of few methods that allows to determine the age of any human being. The aim of this study is to estimate the validation of the original method in a sample of the Polish population and to elaborate a population specific formula.Materials: Panoramic radiographs taken in the Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology, Medical University of Lublin, Poland were retrospectively selected for the study. The selection criteria involved a good quality panoramic radiograph with a free from any pathology upper right canine. The sample included 521 individuals (271 females and 250 males) aged from 18 to 70 years. After tracing and estimating the pulp/tooth area ratio (AR) a dental age was calculated. Afterwards, it has been compared with the chronological age of each patient. Regression models were developed for prediction of the chronological age. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica for Windows software (StatSoft).Results: The regression formula for the total group was as follows: age = 91.746 – 481.6 AR. The dental age calculated using these formulations highly correlated with the chronological age. Pearson’s correlation coefficient equalled - 0.844 for the whole group, r = - 0.873 in females and r = -0.815 in males. All correlations were statistically significant (t test p=0.00).Conclusions: Cameriere’s method can be used in evaluating the dental age in the adult Polish population using population specific formula.