Objective: The aim of this study was to assess bone changes and mobility in temporomandibular joints (TMJs) using cone beam CT (CBCT) in a population sample in Recife, PE, Brazil. Methods: The TMJ images of patients treated by a radiologist at a private dental radiology service over a period of 1 year were retrieved from the computer database and assessed using a computer with a 21-inch monitor and the iCAT Cone Beam 3D Dental Imaging System Workstation program (Imaging Sciences International, Hatfield, PA). The Pearson x 2 test was used to analyse the differences in percentage of bone changes among the categories of mobility (p # 0.05). The McNemar test was used to compare the presence of bone changes in TMJs on the right and left sides (p # 0.05). Results: An adjusted logistic regression model was used to assess the effect of age and gender on the occurrence of bone changes (p # 0.05). Bone changes were present in 227 (71%) patients. Age group and gender showed a statistically significant association with presence of bone changes (p # 0.05). There was no significant difference between the right and left sides (p 5 0.556) and in condylar mobility (p 5 0.925) with regard to the presence of degenerative bone changes. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of degenerative bone alteration in TMJs, which is more frequent in women and mostly located in the condyle. The prevalence of degenerative bone changes increases with age. There is no correlation between condylar mobility and the presence of degenerative bony changes in TMJs.

Practical initiatives, such as free lectures and workshops, must be taken to broaden the knowledge of DEN and DS about BP and thus contribute to the prevention of BRONJ.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of restorative materials on false-positive diagnoses of secondary caries using three imaging systems. Methods: Class II preparations were made on the occlusal and mesial or distal faces of extracted healthy third molar teeth. The teeth were divided into five groups and, with the exception of Group 5, they received a flow resin base. Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 received a layer of Natural Flow (DFL, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Filtek Flow (3M-ESPE, St. Paul, MN), Tetric Flow (Ivoclar/Vivadent, Liechtenstein, Germany) and Protect Liner F (Kuraray, Okayama, Japan) resins, respectively, and were restored with Filtek Supreme resin (3M-ESPE). Group 5 was restored with Filtek Supreme resin. The images on film and on the Digora OptimeH (Helsinki, Finland) and charge coupled device (CCD) IOX (IOX, Monninkylä , Finland) digital systems were evaluated by five examiners and the data were analysed using the Fisher's exact and Friedman tests at a 5% level of significance. Results: Group 3 showed the highest rate of correct answers (restored tooth) and the lowest proportion of secondary caries diagnosis (P # 0.05). Group 4 showed the highest rate of secondary caries diagnosis and the lowest proportion of correct answers (P # 0.05). The systems for obtaining images presented were similar for each material. Conclusons: The restorative material was found to have an influence on the diagnosis of secondary caries lesions by imaging. The imaging system had no influence. Materials with greater radiopacity, higher than that of enamel, were favourable for a true-negative diagnosis.

Imaging exams have important role in diagnosis of cemento-osseous dysplasia (COD). Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) stands out for allowing three-dimensional image evaluation. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of cases diagnosed as COD on CBCT scans, as well identify the main imaging features related to these lesions. An analysis was performed in a database containing 22,400 radiological reports, in which all cases showing some type of COD were initially selected. These CBCT exams were reevaluated to confirm the radiographic diagnosis and determine the prevalence and distribution of the types of COD with regard to gender, age and preferred location, while describing its most common imaging aspects. Data were presented using descriptive analyses. There were 82 cases diagnosed as COD in the CBCT images (prevalence of 0.4%). The distribution of patients was 11 (13.4%) male and 71 (86.6%) female, with a mean age of 49.8 years (age-range 17-85 years). There were 47 (57.3%) cases of periapical COD, 23 (28%) of focal COD and 12 (14.6%) of florid COD. The mandible was more affected than the maxilla. In most cases, the lesions were mixed or hyperdense. All COD had well-defined limits and there were no cases of tooth displacement. In conclusion, periapical COD was the most common type and the most affected bone was the mandible. Imaging evaluation is critical for diagnosis and dentists should bear in mind all possible radiographic presentations of COD in order to prevent misleading diagnoses and consequently, inadequate treatments.

PurposeSufficient area in the interforaminal region is required for dental implant placement, and the anterior loop of the mandibular canal is located within the limits of this area. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and extent of the anterior loop in a Brazilian sample population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).Materials and MethodsCBCT images from 250 patients (500 hemimandibles) obtained for various clinical indications were randomly selected and evaluated to determine the presence and length of the anterior loop. The length of the anterior loop was then compared based on gender, age, and the side of the mandible. The data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test and linear regression analysis.ResultsAn anterior loop was identified in 41.6% of the cases, and its length ranged from 0.25 mm to 4.00 mm (mean, 1.1±0.8 mm). The loop had a greater mean length and was significantly more prevalent in males (p=0.014). No significant differences were found between the right and left sides regarding length (p=0.696) or prevalence (p=0.650).ConclusionIn this study, a high prevalence of the anterior loop of the mandibular canal was found, and although its length varied greatly, in most cases it was less than 1 mm long. Although this is a prevalent anatomical variation, safety limits for the placement of implants in this region cannot be established before an accurate evaluation using imaging techniques in order to identify and preserve the neurovascular bundles.