Aim: To evaluate the reliability of linear measurements in virtual models by comparing measurements performed on virtual models obtained from alginate impression scans, plaster model and measurements performed on conventional plaster model. Methods: The sample comprised 26 randomly selected patients to have impressions of their upper and lower jaws taken using alginate and their bite registration using a wax bite. The virtual models were obtained by scanning the alginate impression and the plaster model in a laser surface scanner (R700; 3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark), and the measurements were performed using the Ortho Analyser (3Shape) proprietary software. The linear measurements of the size of the teeth mesial to distal, arch perimeter, intercanine distance and intermolar distance in the upper and lower arches were performed on plaster models, digital impressions and digital models, by three observers and repeated after 15 days on 8 models for intra-observer evaluations. Data were tabulated and analyzed statistically. Intra-class correlation to check the agreement of intra and inter-observers and ANOVA test were used to analyze the differences between measurements of digital models from impression and digital models from plaster. Results: The results showed a statistically significant difference (pd"0.05) for the posterior teeth, anterior teeth, upper arch perimeter and lower inter-canine distance, comparing the digital models with plaster models, but these differences are considered clinically non-significant. Conclusions: Digital models were proven be reliable and clinically acceptable for measuring tooth width, perimeter arches, intercanine and intermolar distances.

AIM: To compare panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the diagnosis of bifid mandibular condyle. METHODS: The sample consisted of 350 individuals who underwent panoramic radiography and CBCT. In the panoramic radiographs and CBCT images, the presence or absence of bifid mandibular condyle was determined. RESULTS: Presence of bifid mandibular condyle was detected in four cases (1.1%). In all cases, the relation of one condylar process to the other was mediolateral and history of trauma was reported. None of the individuals had symptoms. In two cases, panoramic radiography did not reveal the presence of bifid mandibular condyle. CONCLUSIONS: Initial screening for bifid mandibular condyle can be performed by panoramic radiography; however, CBCT images can reveal morphological changes and the exact orientation of the condyle heads.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the bone density value of potential implant sites in HU obtained by a specific cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) device. In this study, the HU values obtained using a MSCT scanner were used as the gold standard. Twenty mandibles (40 potential implant sites) were scanned using an MSCT scanner (Somatom Sensation 40) and a CBCT scanner (i-CAT). The MSCT images were evaluated using the Syngo CT Workplace software and the CBCT images, using the XoranCat software. The images were evaluated twice by three oral radiologists, at 60 day intervals. The trabecular bone density of the same area was evaluated on both images. Intraclass coefficients (ICC) were calculated to examine the agreement between the examiners and between the two periods of evaluation. The bone density and area of the ROI were compared by the Student t test and Bland-Altman analysis. ICCs were excellent. The mean HU value obtained using CBCT (418.06) was higher than that obtained using MSCT (313.13), with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001). In addition, Bland-Altman analysis showed that the HU measures were not equivalent. In conclusion, the bone density in HU with CBCT images obtained using the device studied proved unreliable, since it was higher than that obtained using MSCT.

Esse estudo avaliou a proteção do selênio no processo de reparação óssea em ratas ovariectomizadas após irradiação. Para isso, 80 ratas Wistar foram divididas aleatoriamente em 4 grupos experimentais: ovariectomizado, ovariectomizado/selênio, ovariectomizado/irradiado e ovariectomizado/selênio/irradiado. Foi realizado um defeito ósseo na tíbia de todos os animais 40 dias após ovariectomia. Dois dias após essa cirurgia, os animais dos grupos ovariectomizado/selênio e ovariectomizado/selênio/irradiado receberam 0,8 mg Se/kg. Três dias após a cirurgia, os animais dos grupos ovariectomizado/irradiado e ovariectomizado/selênio/irradiado receberam 10 Gy de radiação X na região de membros inferiores. Os animais foram sacrificados 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias após a cirurgia para avaliação do processo de reparo ósseo, que foi realizado pela análise do número de trabéculas ósseas (coloração Tricrômico de Masson) e pela análise de birrefringência (coloração de Picrosirius). Foi observado atraso no processo de reparo ósseo no grupo ovariectomizado/irradiado e semelhança entre os grupos ovariectomizado, ovariectomizado/selênio e ovariectomizado/selênio/irradiado. Foi possível concluir que o selenito de sódio exerceu efeito radioprotetor no processo de reparação de tíbias em ratas ovariectomizadas sem toxicidade.

This studyevaluated protection by selenium (Se) in the bone repair process in ovariectomized rats after irradiation. For such purpose, 80 ovariectomized female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups: ovariectomized (Ov), Ov/Se, Ov/irradiated (Irr) and Ov/ Se/Irr. A bone defect was created on the tibia of all animals 40 days after ovariectomy. Two days after surgery, only the Ov/Se and Ov/Se/Irr rats received 0.8 mg Se/kg. Three days after surgery, only the Ov/Irr and Ov/Se/Irr rats received 10 Gy of x-rays on the lower limb region. The animals were euthanized at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after surgery to assess the repair process, which was evaluated by analysis of trabecular bone number (Masson Trichrome) and birefringence analysis (Picrosirius). It was possible to observe a delay in the bone repair process in the ovariectomized/irradiated group and similarity between the ovariectomized, Ov/Se and Ov/Se/Irr groups. In conclusion, sodium selenite exerted a radioprotective effect in the bone repair of tibia of ovariectomized rats without toxicity.

Nos últimos anos, surgiram, na Odontologia, programas de computador para auxiliar o profissional no planejamento de implantes. Esses programas visam facilitar a obtenção de medidas adequadas em exames radiográficos digitalizados. Os objetivos desse trabalho foram: avaliar a concordância intra-examinador na obtenção de medidas por dois métodos (o manual e o com um programa de computador - Radioimp); e comparar o desempenho dos dois métodos. Para isso, 21 radiografias panorâmicas foram analisadas por três avaliadores, pelos dois métodos, em duas ocasiões. No método manual, os avaliadores realizaram um traçado sobre papel acetato fixado às imagens, e, com um paquímetro, obtiveram medidas de nove regiões. Para a análise das imagens no programa de computador, essas foram digitalizadas e exibidas em uma tela de computador. Os avaliadores obtiveram medidas das mesmas regiões analisadas pelo método manual. Para desconto da ampliação inerente à técnica, foram obtidas medidas verticais de esferas presentes nas imagens. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise estatística (p=0.05). Houve diferenças entre os avaliadores na concordância intra-examinador, sendo que esses apresentaram maior dificuldade na reprodução das medidas, quando utilizaram o programa de computador; a maioria das medidas que apresentaram falta de exatidão foi obtida ao se utilizar o mesmo programa. Dessa forma, os programas destinados ao planejamento de implantes devem ser utilizados com cautela por pessoas treinadas.

In the last years, computer programs have appeared in order to help dental practitioners in implants planning. These programs aim to facilitate the acquisition of adequate measures in digitalized radiographs. The aims of this study were: to evaluate the intra-examiner agreement in the acquisition of measures using two methods (manual and computer program - Radioimp), comparing their performances. Three examiners analyzed twenty-one panoramic radiographs. They used the two methods in two occasions. In the manual method, the examiners made a tracing on a paper fixed to the images and measured nine regions with a caliper. The images were digitalized and showed in a computer screen to be analyzed in the computer program. The examiners acquired measures of the same regions by the manual method. Vertical measures of spheres in the images were acquired in order to discount the magnifying factor of the technique. Through statistics analysis (p=.05), it was possible to conclude that there were differences in intra-examiner agreement and the examiners had greater difficulty in reproducing the measures when they used the computer program; the measures acquired by the manual method were closer to the real ones.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a reprodutibilidade relacionada à presença e às medidas do alongamento e a prevalência do processo estilóide (APE), utilizando radiografias panorâmicas. Foram utilizadas cento e sessenta e seis radiografias, do arquivo da Clínica de Radiologia, da Faculdade de Odontologia de Araraquara, Unesp, de pacientes desdentados, atendidos num período de quatro anos. Cento e vinte um pacientes eram do gênero feminino e quarenta e cinco do masculino. Dois examinadores calibrados avaliaram as radiografias. Foi utilizado um paquímetro para medir, em mm, o APE da base do osso temporal à extremidade da estrutura. O APE foi considerado presente quando as medidas ultrapassaram 30 mm. A reprodutibilidade foi avaliada utilizando a estatística Kappa (ê) e o coeficiente de correlação intra-classe (ñ). Os resultados mostraram que a concordância interexaminador foi ê=0,85, relativa à presença do APE e ñ=0,52 relativa às medidas do APE. A prevalência do APE foi 12,6%. A distribuição do APE no gênero feminino foi semelhante ao masculino. Concluindo, o nível de concordância entre os dois examinadores quanto à presença do APE foi maior do que quando eles mediram o APE. A prevalência do APE foi 12,6%.

The aim of this study was to estimate the reproducibility related to the presence and to the measurements of elongated styloid process (ESP), based on panoramic radiographs and the prevalence of ESP. Experimental design: one hundred sixty six panoramic radiographs were used, from edentulous patients from the Radiology Clinic files, at Araraquara Dental School, Unesp, during a four-year period. One hundred and twenty one were female and 45 were male. Two calibrated observers evaluated the radiographs. A caliper was used to measure, in mm, the ESP from the base of the temporal bone to the tip of the structure. The ESP was considered present when the measurements were 30mm or more. Kappa statistics (k ) and intra-class correlation coefficient (r ), were applied to estimate the reproducibility. The results showed that related to the presence of ESP, the interobserver agreement was k =0.85. Related to the measurements of ESP, the interobserver agreement was r =0.52. The prevalence of ESP was estimated in 12.6%. ESP distribution in females was similar to that for males. In conclusion, we found a greater level of agreement when observers evaluated the presence of ESP than when they did the measurement of ESP. The prevalence of ESP was 12.6%.