Development of Brief Image Quality Evaluation Criteria for Digital OrthoPantomography （OPG） Images in Dental Radiography

An OPG （orthopantmography） is an extra-oral radiographic imaging method which provides a panoramic or wide view of both jaws and teeth on a single image. Digital OPG images provide high contrast with more details of the dentitions. The research main objective was to produce sophisticated and effective criteria that can be used by any radiographer with sound knowledge to identify common errors of digital OPG images and to increase the concern of high frequency of errors to minimize them to give an optimum image quality. The study was designed as retrospective cross sectional study. Hundred digital OPG images are evaluated by three qualified radiographers who had dental radiography experience and four student radiographers. Paired t-test was used to see the difference between the responses of radiographers and student radiographers. Kruskal-Wallis Test was used to see difference between each evaluator. Possible errors of OPG were divided into four main categories （identification, artifact, anatomical coverage and patient positioning）. Each main category consists of sub-categories. Values of subcategories were given according to their importance to get the total of 100% for each main category. The results showed that there is no significant difference between radiographers and student radiographers’ responses and also between each evaluator. Hence it shows that the criteria were an easy understandable and user-friendly tool. And results showed the frequent error category was loss of anatomical coverage and frequent error was absence of positioning the tongue against the palate.

Evaluation of Diagnostic Efficacy of Digital Subtraction Radiography in the Diagnosis of Simulated External Root Resorption: An <i>in Vitro</i>Study

External root resorption can induce the degeneration of dental cementum and dentine and may extend towards the pulp reductive. Digital subtraction radiography can function as a useful tool in diagnosing degenerative carious lesions. This study investigated the diagnostic value of digital subtraction radiography in detecting external root resorption. This was a descriptive study conducted using the lab trial method. Artificially-induced external root resorption was created in different sizes at the coronal and apical aspects of 20 premolar teeth. Digital radiographs were obtained of each tooth under standard conditions and these radiographs were subtracted by imaging devices. The subtracted images and the digital radiographs were observed by three radiologists. Chi-square, Kappa test, and Z-test were used to analyze the data. The mean of general sensitivity of digital subtraction radiography and direct digital radiography was low in diagnosing 0.05 mm lesions (Sen = 35%), yet, the accuracy index was good for all lesions (Acc ≥ 65%). Other diagnostic parameters were also acceptable. Both types of radiography worked better in diagnosing coronal than apical lesions (P > 0.05). The interpreters (observers) showed a better performance in diagnosing external root resorption using digital subtraction radiography compared to digital radiography. Both modalities were exact and accurate in detecting 0.05 mm lesions as well as other lesions. However, the results of digital subtraction radiography were not significantly different from those of direct digital radiography.

Evaluation of Positive Predictive Value for Digital Panoramic Radiography in Comparison to Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Calcified Carotid Atheroma

Aim: Detection of calcified carotid atheroma (CCA) has an important role in reducing the incidence of Cerebro Vascular Accident (CVA). The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of panoramic digital radiography in detecting atherosclerosis. Methods: It is descriptive-analytical diagnostic study. The people (22 to 62 years old) were referred to a radiology clinic to perform panoramic radiography for diagnosis of CCA. Individuals who were suspected were introduced to the radiology department of dental school to undergo ultrasound evaluation to CCA. For the 41 patients (55 sides), ultrasound was performed. For data analysis, the Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used. Results: The prevalence of CCA was 2.43%. The PPV of digital panoramic was 45.5%. There was no significant relationship between age (P = 0.14) and sex (P = 0.539) and PPV of digital panoramic. The PPV of digital panoramic was significantly associated with hypertension (P = 0.032). Conclusion: It seems that panoramic can be used to screen patients with a history of hypertension for atherosclerosis.

Comparison via Digital Radiography of Radiopacity Levels of Composite Materials with Various Shades and Viscosities

Aim of the present in vitro study is to evaluate the radiopacity levels of composite resins with various shades and viscosity.10 mm×2 mm discs were prepared from 7 condensable and 4 flowable composites(n=10).An aluminum step wedge ranging from 2.0 to 10.0 mm in thickness was placed on the occlusal film.Digital radiographs were taken using a dental X-ray device and radiographic densities of each step of the aluminum wedge and the samples were recorded to the computer.Five readings were taken and means were calculated.One-Way Anova and Tamhane post hoc tests were performed.While G-eanial Posterior has the highest radiopacity value followed by Filtek Z550,Aelite Flo has the lowest radiopacity value.Posterior composites show higher radiopacity and flowable composites with higher filler loadings have superior radiopacity levels to condensable composites.Enamel and body shades of the composite brands have also statistically significant differences in radiopacity scores.Eventually,radiopacity level of a composite resin material is not affected by the size of fillers;however,the composition,shape and loading of the fillers can specify the radiodensity.

Evaluation of Entrance Skin Radiation Exposure Dose for Pediatrics Examined by Digital Radiography at Asser Central Hospital-KSA

Assessment of entrance skin doses for patients in Digital radiography examinations should be made as a means for the optimization of the radiation protection of the patients. We measured the entrance skin dose (ESD) received by 50 pediatrics undergoing 12 types of diagnostic X-ray examination at Radiology Department of Asser Central Hospital-KSA. The entrance skin dose ESD was determined via measurements parameters: focus to skin distance (FSD), tube current (mAs) and tube voltage (kV) in arithmetical equation. The mean ± SD for ESDs were found to be 0.16 ± 0.03, 0.21 ± 0.01, 0.63 ± 0.26, 0.55 ± 0.09, 0.15 ± 0.05, 0.27 ± 0.06, 0.41 ± 0.19, 0.46 ± 0.18, 0.46 ± 0.12, 0.20 ± 0.02, 0.39 ± 0.01, 0.29 ± 0.03, for PA chest, foot, AP pelvis, PA skull, PA hand, AP arm, ankle, AP shoulder, abdomen, forearm, AP femur, AP elbow consequently. Our study is considered as an attempt to evaluate the ESDs received by digital radiographic x-ray machine for children aged between 2 - 15 years old, taking in our considerations number of other variables. The mean ESD values obtained are found to be within the standard reference. The data obtained may add to the available information in national records for general use. It may provide guidance on where efforts on dose reduction will need to be directed to fulfill the requirements of the optimization process and serve as a reference for future researches.

Comparative Study of Radiological Changes in Hands and Feet in Patients Suffering from Early Rheumatoid Arthritis by Power Doppler Ultrasound and Direct Digital Radiography

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic multisystem disease of unknown cause. The characteristic feature of RA is persistent inflammatory synovitis. The natural history of disease is such that the early months of the disease are critical period during which reversible joint damage occurs. So early diagnosis of RA and appropriate drug application is the only way to save a patient from this crippling disease. In India, the cost of investigations is a significant factor for most of the patients. Ultrasonography or Power Doppler Ultra Sound (PDUS) has the advantage of being economic in spite of its sensitivity in assessing both inflammatory and destructive changes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of PDUS in early rheumatoid arthritis. The study was performed with the patients attending Rheumatology Clinic. A total number of 106 patients of clinically suspected rheumatoid arthritis were studied as per selection criteria. Radiological examinations of hands were done by digital radiography and PDUS in a group of 53 patients, assessment of foot changes by PDUS and Digital Radiography were done in another similar group of 53 patients. Final diagnosis by ACR EULAR-2010 criteria is done for all the patients. The comparative study reveals that synovial vascularity as demonstrated by PDUS is much more effective in diagnosing early rheumatoid arthritis, both in hand and in feet than digital radiograph. PDUS of feet may yield earlier and better findings than hands, which is conventionally used in patients suffering from early rheumatoid arthritis.

Classification and detection of dental images using meta-learning

Meta-learning of dental X-rays is a machine learning technique that can be used to train models to perform new tasks quickly and with minimal input.Instead of just memorizing a task,this is accomplished through teaching a model how to learn.Algorithms for meta-learning are typically trained on a collection of training problems,each of which has a limited number of labelled instances.Multiple Xray classification tasks,including the detection of pneumonia,coronavirus disease 2019,and other disorders,have demonstrated the effectiveness of meta-learning.Meta-learning has the benefit of allowing models to be trained on dental X-ray datasets that are too few for more conventional machine learning methods.Due to the high cost and lengthy collection process associated with dental imaging datasets,this is significant for dental X-ray classification jobs.The ability to train models that are more resistant to fresh input is another benefit of meta-learning.

Application of artificial intelligence in digital chest radiography reading for pulmonary tuberculosis screening

Currently, the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) is mainly based on the comprehensive consideration of the patient’s symptoms and signs, laboratory examinations and chest radiography (CXR). CXR plays a pivotal role to support the early diagnosis of TB, especially when used for TB screening and differential diagnosis. However, high cost of CXR hardware and shortage of certified radiologists poses a major challenge for CXR application in TB screening in resource limited settings. The latest development of artificial intelligence (AI) combined with the accumulation of a large number of medical images provides new opportunities for the establishment of computer-aided detection (CAD) systems in the medical applications, especially in the era of deep learning (DL) technology. Several CAD solutions are now commercially available and there is growing evidence demonstrate their value in imaging diagnosis. Recently, WHO published a rapid communication which stated that CAD may be used as an alternative to human reader interpretation of plain digital CXRs for screening and triage of TB.

The pilot experimental study of 14 MeV fast neutron digital radiography

14 MeV Fast neutrons has good penetrability and the 14 MeV fast neutron radiography can meet the need of Non-Destructive Test of the structure and lacuna of heavy-massive sample, whose shell is made of heavy metal and in which there are some hydrogen materials, and the study of fast neutron digital radiography just begins in China. By the use of a D-T accelerator, a digital imaging system made up of a fast neutron scintillation screen made of ZnS(Ag) and polypropylene, lens and a scientific grade CCD, the experimental study of fast neutron radiography has been done between 4.3×1010-6.8×1010 n/s of neutron yield. Some 14 MeV fast neutron digital radiographs have been gotten. According to experimental radiographs and their data, the performance of the fast neutron scintillation screen and the basic characters of 14 MeV fast neutron radiography are analyzed, and it is helpful for the further research.

Reporting of dental status from full-arch radiographs: Descriptive analysis and methodological aspects

AIM: To identify standards, how entities of dental status are assessed and reported from full-arch radiographs of adults. METHODS: A Pub Med(Medline) search was performed in November 2011. Literature had to report at least one out of four defined entities using radiographs:number of teeth or implants; caries, fillings or restorations; root-canal fillings and apical health; alveolar bone level. Cohorts included to the study had to be of adult age. Methods of radiographic assessment were noted and checked for the later mode of report in text, tables or diagrams. For comparability, the encountered modeof report was operationalized to a logical expression.RESULTS: Thirty-seven out of 199 articles were evaluated via full-text review. Only one article reported all four entities. Eight articles reported at the maximum 3 comparable entities. However, comparability is impeded because of the usage of absolute or relative frequency, mean or median values as well as grouping. Furthermore the methods of assessment were different or not described sufficiently. Consequently, established sum scores turned out to be highly questionable, too. The amount of missing data within all studies remained unclear. It is even so remissed to mention supernumerary and aplased teeth as well as the count of third molars.CONCLUSION: Data about dental findings from radiographs is, if at all possible, only comparable with serious limitations. A standardization of both, assessing and reporting entities of dental status from radiographs is missing and has to be established within a report guideline.

Evaluation of dentists’ awareness about personnel and patients national protection in Yazd dental office

Background: Dental radiology had helpful assistant in the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases. Dentists in their practice have to access benefits of dental oral radiographs against its hazards. They must aware from new radiation protection techniques and radiation dosage which daily receive. Present study was performed for radiation protection awareness in dentists of Yazd city and their knowledge about recent lowering radiation techniques. Materials & Methods: Present cross sectional study was performed on 102 medical dentists of Yazd city. Our study samples were participated in one Continues Medical Educations (CME) session. Knowledge assessment of study medical dentists was gathered with questionnaire which was given to study participants during CME session. Results: Eighty nine percent of dentists had poor and 11% had moderate awareness about radiation protection techniques. There was no significant difference between mean of knowledge scores among study participants according their age groups, job experiences and genders. Conclusion: The knowledge of dentists about radiation protection techniques was very poor and they should implement recent and appropriate radiation protection techniques and guidelines.

Development and application of a high energy X-ray digital radiography nondestructive testing system for a driving mechanism

A high energy X-ray digital radiography(DR)nondestructive testing(NDT)system has been developed to detect the operating state of a driving mechanism.The system consists of five main subsystems,namely,X-ray generator,image intensifier,image processor,mechanical platform and control subsystem.Owning to the mechanical platform,the X-ray generator and image intensifier are able to rotate around the vertical axis from 0°to 360°in 35 s and move along vertical axis within the range of 500 mm in 20 s.The 450 kV X-ray generator provides a maximum 100 mm penetration depth and a coverage angle of 40°,and the resolution of the scanned image is 66 lp/cm.As is indicated by its applications,the system is featured with fast scanning speed,wide detection range and high imaging quality.It can be applied to inspect the defects in the driving mechanism as well.

Registration of Two Dental Panoramic Radiographs

In dental panoramic images, the information on physical changes of alveolar bone or jaw bone is very important to diagnose several diseases. To detect such change, it is useful to compare two panoramic x-ray images acquired at different times. These two images are usually acquired with different conditions in terms of the positioning of the dental arch, and thus these images can be impaired from some geometrical changes related to the scale of the panoramic images and deformation of the teeth and jaw bones. As a result of this, it is very hard to make an accurate registration. To cope with this issue, we developed a dedicated image registration method to match these two images by a newly introduced non-rigid transformation method and registration method using the cross-correlation of localized regions. We evaluated our proposed method with several sets of two images acquired with different geometrical conditions. The material evaluated in this study was a skull phantom. The results of these experiments showed the validity and intrinsic ability of our proposed method in clinical examinations.

口腔种植修复中钛基底氧化锆基台的制作和力学性能

背景:随着计算机辅助设计和计算机辅助制造技术的发展,钛基底氧化锆基台因具备良好的应用优势被广泛运用于临床,但仍存在一些问题,尚缺乏共识性的设计标准。目的:综述钛基底氧化锆基台的制作方法及基台连接、穿龈设计、基台角度和粘接对钛基底氧化锆基台各类力学性能的影响。方法:检索Pub Med数据库和中国知网2010-2023年发表的相关文献,检索词为“zirconia abutment,titanium base;氧化锆基台,钛基底”,部分经典文献延长检索时间限制,通过纳入和排除标准获取相关文献,对57篇符合标准的文献进行综述。结果与结论:建议临床医生尽量选择具有抗旋结构的基台连接或是具有莫氏锥度的非抗旋连接,当运用钛基底氧化锆基台时,种植体应放置在正确的轴向角度(植体轴向向唇侧倾斜角度不超过15°或略向腭侧倾斜);当植体轴向向唇侧倾斜角度≥30°时,应当适当降低咬合力,以降低种植体、基台及修复体机械并发症和生物并发症的风险;应尽可能选择穿龈高度较高的钛基底,并且其穿龈角度不应超过40°。Multilink Hybrid Abutment可以作为氧化锆基台与钛基底口外粘结的首选粘接剂。

飞利浦Digital Diagnost系列DR设备工作原理及故障维修

文章介绍了飞利浦Digital Diagnost系列DR设备工作原理和同步通讯信号传输时序,分析了X射线无法曝光、成像失败等故障的原因,有针对性地提出了处理措施,以期为同行提供相关经验。

数字断层融合摄影技术在股骨干骨折内固定术后的应用研究

目的探讨数字断层融合摄影(DTS)在股骨干骨折内固定术后复查中的应用价值。方法收集90例股骨干骨折内固定术后患者,于术后6月时完成了数字化X线摄影(DR)及DTS检查。由两名放射科医师采用5分法对两种影像学检查方法所获图像进行图像质量评价及对比。同时由临床医师对DTS及DR的骨折愈合显示率进行对比。结果术后6月时,DTS图像质量评分为(3.689±1.148)分,DR图像质量评分为(2.778±1.197)分,两组差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。DTS图像骨折愈合情况显示率为95.56%(86/90),DR图像骨折愈合情况显示率为72.23%(65/90),差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论在股骨干骨折内固定术后复查中,DTS能清晰显示术区骨质结构,准确判断骨折愈合情况,图像质量较DR更优,可作为股骨干骨折内固定术后复查较为理想的影像学检查方法,临床实用性较强。

我国高校口腔医学教学评估现状和发展趋势

口腔疾病带来了沉重的全球疾病负担,凸显了强化口腔医学生的专业能力、临床技能和经验积累的重要性,故如何与时俱进地提高口腔医学教育的质量和成效是口腔医学界的永恒使命。为了辅助达成此愿景,本文从理论教学、实践教学等当前口腔医学的主要教学方式入手,对我国高校口腔医学的教学评估进展进行综述,发现我国大多学者通过笔试理论及实践操作的考核成绩和学生反馈的调查问卷结果等进行教学评估,然而现有口腔医学教学评估的核心理念和评价指标却不尽清晰和完善。根据现有不足,本文建议今后口腔医学教学评估应以全面考虑学生体验和学术成果为初衷,从教师、患者或护理医技人员等多角度观察,联合使用定量及定性评估方法,积极引入数字化、“互联网+”、虚拟现实、人工智能等先进技术和设备,并开展不同教学评估方式的对比研究,最终探索出更科学、规范、全面的教学评估体系,持续提升口腔医学教师及高校的整体教学质量,培养高素质口腔医学专业人才。

肯氏Ⅰ、Ⅱ类牙列缺损数字化印模及模型在可摘局部义齿中的应用

目的评估肯氏Ⅰ、Ⅱ类牙列缺损数字化印模及树脂模型技术在可摘局部义齿(RPD)中的应用效果。方法选择肯氏Ⅰ、Ⅱ类牙列缺损患者,按照义齿制作流程分组:数字化印模/树脂模型/钴铬合金铸造支架组(A组)、数字化印模/树脂模型/激光打印钛支架组(B组)、藻酸盐印模/石膏模型/钴铬合金铸造支架组(C组)、藻酸盐印模/石膏模型/激光打印钛支架组(D组),每组40例。对最终完成的RPD在口内就位情况进行检查,评估指标包括卡环固位力、连接体和基托在口内的密合度、咬合准确度,各项指标评估分值使用Kruskal-Wallis秩和检验进行分析。结果4组RPD各项指标的评分值差异无统计学意义。结论利用数字化印模及树脂模型完成的铸造钴铬合金和激光打印钛支架式RPD能够满足肯氏Ⅰ、Ⅱ类牙列缺损患者的临床修复要求。

Dental Treatment and Quantum Mechanics

In clinical practice, dentists sometimes encounter phenomena that cannot be explained by common medical concepts;for example, patients’ bodily symptoms immediately improved after adjusting a denture that was not even inside their mouth, by extracting an infected tooth, and by bringing medicine close to the body. Although it seems difficult to completely elucidate the mechanism through modern medicine, it can be explained using quantum mechanics if it is assumed that symptoms appear because of the pathological waves emitted by the afflicted area of the body. The quantum, the smallest unit of matter composition, exhibits wave-particle duality. The fact that symptoms can be improved simply by bringing dentures or medicines closer to the body indicates that the waves emitted by dentures or medicine interfere with the pathological waves. Thus, the pathological waves are deformed and lead to a change in symptoms. In this way, quantum theory can explain phenomena that are difficult to elucidate in conventional medicine, which are encountered in daily clinical practice. Using biological reactions, unsolved problems in quantum mechanics, such as measurement problems, can be solved.

改进PCA方法的牙颌特征提取和数据集构建

为了提高牙颌数字模型特征提取的准确性和牙齿分割的效率,提出一种几何变换和主成分分析相结合的坐标系标准化方法,并以离散曲率、法向量、形状直径函数和离散测地距离为基础特征对牙颌数字模型进行了特征提取,在此基础上进一步扩展构建了76个特征数据集。采用提出的坐标系标准化方法和数据集对上颌进行了牙齿分割实验。结果表明:改进主成分分析方法能够快速准确地实现牙颌数字模型坐标系对齐,能够准确识别牙齿的特征信息并作出标记,牙齿分割完整,平均分割准确率达到99.74%。基于改进主成分分析方法的牙颌模型特征提取方法能够极大地提高特征对牙齿的区分性,从而降低位姿对牙颌特征提取带来的负面影响,实现在特征数据较少的情况下准确分割牙齿,可为数字化口腔诊疗提供一定的参考。