Introduction Technological advances have attempted to improve the standard of traditional x-ray imaging. ImageIQ software (LumenIQ, Bellingham, Wash) enhances conventional radiography by producing a ...computer-generated, enhanced 2-dimensional (2D) image, adding depth and detail. The software converts the scales of gray to topographic height values, which are easier for the eye to see. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the enhanced 2D renderings are as sensitive as traditional 2D radiographs for detecting periodontal defects in cadaver mandibles. Methods Periodontal defects were located and classified on 20 cadaver mandibles. These defects were radiographed, and computer-generated, enhanced 2D topographic renderings were made with ImageIQ software. A panel of evaluators was shown the 2D radiographs and the enhanced 2D renderings in random order. The evaluators classified the defects from these images. Results Significantly better agreement by the evaluators with the intrasurgical classification was found with the enhanced 2D rendering to view periodontal defects vs the traditional 2D x-ray. Enhanced 2D renderings improved the accuracy of radiographic periodontal defect classification by 14.3% over traditional 2D radiographs. Conclusions Computer generated, enhanced 2D renderings of conventional radiographs might provide a reliable diagnostic alternative to conventional 2D radiographs when attempting to classify periodontal defects.
Enamel demineralization is considered to be the most prevalent and significant iatrogenic effect associated with fixed orthodontic treatment and can seriously jeopardize both tooth longevity and ...dental esthetics. This in vitro study was undertaken to compare the effectiveness of four different commercially available surface treatment medicaments for the inhibition of enamel demineralization.
Seventy-five intact maxillary premolars extracted from patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were divided into five equal groups and were subjected to one of the following protocols: no treatment (control group) or treatment with one of the following four medicaments: fluoride varnish (Fluor Protector FP), casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (GC Tooth Mousse TM), calcium sodium phosphosilicate (SHY-NM), and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate with fluoride (GC Tooth Mousse Plus TMP). All the teeth were subjected to ten Cate demineralization solution?for 96 hours and subsequently evaluated under polarized light microscopy to obtain the mean depths of enamel demineralization. One-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni comparison tests were used to obtain statistically significant differences between the five different groups at P < .05.
All four surface treatment medicaments provided statistically significant reduction in the depths of enamel demineralization as compared with the control group. FP provided the greatest protection of enamel surface in terms of reduction of lesion depth, followed by TMP, SHY-NM, and TM.
The use of these commercially available medicaments could prove to be beneficial for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment and who are at a risk for developing enamel decalcification.
This study compared the efficacy of pain control of two medications, used to treat recurrent aphthous stomatitis, placed under a physical barrier of cyanoacrylate. Thirty patients with recurrent ...aphthous stomatitis were selected from the records of the Diagnostic Referral Clinic at Indiana University School of Dentistry and randomly divided into three groups; one group was a control. Experimental groups received a topical application of either triamcinolone acetonide (0.025%) or chlorhexidine digluconate (0.12%). Medications were covered by isobutyl cyanoacrylate (Iso-Dent). Controls received the Iso-Dent only. Patients kept a diary to record their pain level on a 10 cm visual analog scale until the lesion healed. Ulcer episodes were treated for 12 weeks. Because some patients had multiple episodes, a total of 35 ulcer episodes were available for analysis. The mean number of ulcer days for each group was not significantly different. ANOVA with repeated measures for 10 days on each patient was first performed. A highly significant difference in pain intensity and perception was found at different days (p < 0.0001). No significant difference was found between the triamcinolone acetonide and chlorhexidine gluconate (p < 0.49).
Conventional radiography is the standard for diagnosis of dental disease, although it lacks the sensitivity to demonstrate the earliest changes of diagnostic significance. Imaging techniques such as ...direct digital radiography and subtraction help to better demonstrate subtle changes in diagnostic information.
The information yield from a hand-held radiographic unit was compared with that of a conventional dental x-ray unit. Ten observers were asked to detect radiographic details on films taken of a test ...object at eight different exposure settings with each radiographic unit. The viewers detected significantly more details on three films generated with the experimental unit. No significant difference was demonstrated in the number of details observed with either unit at the remaining exposure settings.
The objective of this study was to assess the capability of graduating dental students to identify the causes of undiagnostic panoramic images and to interpret anatomic landmarks on panoramic films. ...Seventeen dental schools were represented by 311 students. A radiology faculty member at each institution completed a questionnaire that addressed lecture time and experience provided to students in panoramic radiography. The faculty member administered a test instrument comprised of several panoramic radiographs that demonstrated one or more labeled anatomic structures, technical errors, or projection artifacts and multiple choice questions that addressed each entity. The mean percentage correct for the tested population on the entire test instrument was 72.9%. The mean percentage correct for questions addressing anatomy, error and artifact recognition, and error correction was 84.0%, 61.4% and 45.2%, respectively. Factors that significantly (p < 0.05) affected student performance were the number of lecture hours provided, whether or not students took panoramic radiographs of patients, and the method of student selection as participants. Laboratory or self-study projects and the number of panoramic radiographs (> or = 1) taken of patients did not significantly affect student performance on the test instrument.
RadioVisioGraphy is an imaging modality that uses a charge-coupled device electronic sensor. Dental charge-coupled device imaging can be used to detect dental caries; however, it was not known what ...effect beam collimation, added filtration, or variable target-receptor distance has on this task. The purpose of this investigation was to study these effects were imaged by conventional radiography and RadioVisioGraphy varying exposure time, target-receptor distance, collimation, and filtration. Printed RadioVisioGraphy images without enhancement and E-speed radiographs were evaluated by five viewers. The number of true-positives and false-positives were compared as were sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy, and entrance level radiation exposure. Added filtration reduced the false-positives regardless of collimation or target-receptor distance. True-positives and false-positives were greater at a target-receptor distance of 8 inch at exposures < 0.10 seconds (F < 0.0151). E-speed radiographs had a greater specificity and positive predictive value than RadioVisioGraphy images without image enhancement; however, no significant differences were found between RadioVisioGraphy images and E-speed radiographs in true-positive or false-positive identifications without image enhancement.
Mercy is a valued nursing attribute. It often identifies faith-based educational institutions, clinics, and hospitals and has been a quality valued and taught by the Catholic Sisters of Mercy through ...nursing's history. This qualitative study explored the meaning of mercy as expressed by undergraduate nursing students attending a faith-based nursing school. This article presents the findings of a question posed to students: What does mercy mean to me? Nursing practice and education implications are also presented.
