The way we were (and how we got here): fifty years of technology changes in dental and maxillofacial radiology

The history of the last 50 years (1970–2020) of technological changes and progresses for equipment and procedures in dental and maxillofacial radiology is related from the insider perspective of an industrial physicist and technologist who has been instrumental at innovating and developing medical equipment in different parts of the world. The onset and improvement of all major categories of dental and maxillofacial radiographic equipment is presented, from the standpoint of their practical acceptance and impact among common dentists and maxillofacial radiologists: X-ray sources and detectors for intraoral radiography, and panoramic systems, both film-based and digital (including photo-stimulated phosphor plates); and cone beam CT.     

Paediatric absorbed doses from rotational panoramic radiography

OBJECTIVES: To determine the paediatric doses in rotational panoramic radiography with film/screen and photostimulable phosphor receptors. STUDY DESIGN: A paediatric anthropomorphic head and neck phantom was used. Absorbed doses were measured for two panoramic systems, the Orthophos (Sirona Dental Systems, Bensheim, Germany) and the PM 2002 CC (Planmeca Oy, Helsinki, Finland), with and without programmable child settings, using both screen/film and photostimulable phosphor receptors. RESULTS: Absorbed doses to the eye ranged from 5 to 24 micro Gy. Doses to the dental arches with the Orthophos unit ranged from 50 to 555 micro Gy with the adult and from 27 to 436 micro Gy with the child program; using the PM 2002 CC unit, doses ranged from 56 to 1040 micro Gy using the adult settings, and from 60 to 890 micro Gy with the paediatric settings. The paediatric exposure settings reduced doses at most locations for both panoramic systems. The highest doses were measured near the rotational axes of the X-ray beam. Paediatric settings with the Orthophos P10 resulted in the dose reduction more than 50% to the thyroid but not with the PM 2002 CC. When lower kVcp or mA settings were used, absorbed doses were effectively reduced for all combinations of machines, programs and detectors. CONCLUSIONS: Specific program settings for children reduced the absorbed doses from panoramic radiography irrespective of the machine or receptor used.     

Accuracy of digital and film panoramic radiographs for assessment of position and morphology of mandibular third molars and prevalence of dental anomalies and pathologies

OBJECTIVES: To compare the accuracy of digital and film panoramic radiographs for determining (1) the position and morphology of mandibular third molars before surgical removal and (2) the prevalence of dental anomalies and pathologies. METHODS: Three hundred and eighty-eight third mandibular molars were available for examination. Position and morphology of third molars observed on film radiographs and on digital panoramic images from five systems (DenOptix, DigiDent, Digora, Dimax2 and Orthophos Plus) were recorded by two observers and were compared with surgeons' findings at the time of the operation (gold standard). One observer further recorded the prevalence of dental anomalies and pathologies on both imaging modalities. RESULTS: Few differences were found between the digital and film-based panoramic systems in the assessment of accuracy of position and morphology of mandibular third molars. The prevalence of dental anomalies and pathologies determined with the two modalities was roughly similar. CONCLUSION: The five digital panoramic systems evaluated in this study were equally as useful for third molar treatment planning and diagnosis of dental anomalies and pathologies as conventional film-based panoramic radiographs.     

Radiographic modalities for diagnosis of caries in a historical perspective: from film to machine-intelligence supported systems

Radiographic imaging for the diagnosis of caries lesions has been a supplement to clinical examination for approximately a century. Various methods, and particularly X-ray receptors, have been developed over the years, and computer systems have focused on aiding the dentist in the detection of lesions and in estimating lesion depth. The present historical review has sampled accuracy ex vivo studies and clinical studies on radiographic caries diagnosis that have compared two or more receptors for capturing the image. The epochs of film radiography, xeroradiography, digital intraoral radiography, panoramic radiography and other extraoral methods, TACT analysis, cone-beam CT and artificial intelligence systems aiding in decision-making are reviewed. The author of this review (43 years in academia) has been involved in caries research and contributed to the literature in all the mentioned epochs.     

Flemish general dental practitioners' knowledge of dental radiology

The aim of this study was to assess general dental practitioners'' knowledge of dental radiography and radiation protection in order to alert the Belgian authorities and dental professional societies. Prior to attending a postgraduate course on intraoral radiology, general dental practitioners in Flanders, Belgium, were asked to fill in a questionnaire regarding the radiological equipment and the techniques they used for intraoral radiography. The availability and type of dental panoramic equipment were also assessed. A total of 374 questionnaires were available for this study. 15% of the attendants used radiographic equipment that was more than 27 years old and 43% reported equipment that operated with a clockwork timer. 32% and 75% respectively had no idea what the kV or mA settings were on their intraoral equipment. 5% were unaware which cone geometry or geometric technique (paralleling or bisecting angle technique) they were using. 81% claimed to be using a short cone technique. 47% did not know what collimation meant, whereas 40% stated that they were using circular collimation. 38% used digital intraoral image detectors (63% were photostimulable storage phosphorplate (PSPP)), but 16% were not sure about the type of sensor they were using (PSPP or solid-state sensors). 61% also had dental panoramic equipment available, 25% of which was digital (10% charge coupled device (CCD) and 15% PSPP). These results clearly indicate the need for continued education on this subject. The latter is an important signal to Belgian authorities and dental professional societies.     

Does digital radiography increase the number of intraoral radiographs? A questionnaire study of Dutch dental practices

OBJECTIVES: To compare the number of radiographs taken in general dental practices equipped with digital radiography vs conventional film-based radiography and to determine the reasons for any difference in numbers. METHODS: In a mail survey, 473 questionnaires were sent to Dutch General Dental Practitioners (GDPs) using digital radiography and 105 questionnaires were sent to GDPs using film. The questionnaire concerned the number of intraoral radiographs taken in the dental practice, as well as possible reasons to take more or fewer radiographs after conversion to digital radiography. RESULTS: The response rate was 73%. Users of a phosphor plate system on average take 42.8 radiographs per week and solid-state system users take 48.4 radiographs, whereas film users take on average only 32.5 radiographs per week. The need for more certainty about the planned or ongoing treatment as well as better diagnostics were the most important reasons for taking more radiographs. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that GDPs using a system for digital radiography are more inclined to take radiographs than dentists taking conventional radiographs. Although digital intraoral radiography requires 50-80% less radiation per exposure than film, it is likely that the effective dose reduction after converting from conventional to digital radiography is less than 25% owing to the greater numbers of radiographs taken.     

Magnification rate of digital panoramic radiographs and its effectiveness for pre-operative assessment of dental implants

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy and effectiveness of digital panoramic radiographs for pre-operative assessment of dental implants.

Methods

We selected 86 patients (221 implants) and calculated the length of the planned implant based on the distance between a selection of critical anatomical structures and the alveolar crest using the scaling tools provided in the digital panoramic system. We analysed the magnification rate and the difference between the actual inserted implant length and planned implant length according to the location of the implant placement and the clarity of anatomical structures seen in the panoramic radiographs.

Results

There was no significant difference between the planned implant length and actual inserted implant length (P > 0.05). The magnification rate of the width and length of the inserted implants, seen in the digital panoramic radiographs, was 127.28 ± 13.47% and 128.22 ± 4.17%, respectively. The magnification rate of the implant width was largest in the mandibular anterior part and there was a significant difference in the magnification rate of the length of implants between the maxilla and the mandible (P < 0.05). When the clarity of anatomical structures seen in the panoramic radiographs is low, the magnification rate of the width of the inserted implants is significantly higher (P < 0.05), but there is no significant difference between the planned implant length and actual inserted implant length according to the clarity of anatomical structures (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Digital panoramic radiography can be considered a simple, readily available and considerably accurate pre-operative assessment tool in the vertical dimension for dental implant therapy.     

The accuracy and reliability of radiographic methods for the assessment of marginal bone level around oral implants

OBJECTIVES: To determine the accuracy and reliability of radiographic methods for assessment of the marginal bone level around oral implants in human cadavers. METHODS: In three human cadavers two implants were placed according to the Instruction Manual for the Br?nemark System. One implant was installed in the canine and one in the premolar region of the left mandible. For each implant, conventional and digital intra-oral paralleling radiography were performed. Digital images were printed with a Kodak 1200 Distributed Medical Imaging printer on blue transparent film, glossy and plain paper. Furthermore, digital scanographic, panoramic and tomographic images were taken with the Cranex Tome multimodal X-ray unit and printed on Agfa Drystar TM 1 B transparent films. All images were evaluated by five dental specialists. Data were statistically compared with real measurements of the marginal bone level on the human cadavers, performed by the same group of observers. Intra- and inter-observer variability were determined. RESULTS: Digital intra-oral images on glossy paper showed the smallest absolute difference between real and measured bone level, followed by digital intra-oral images on film and on plain paper, conventional intra-oral images on analogue film, panoramic, scanographic and tomographic images on film. The difference between real and radiographic measurements was not statistically significant (P>0.05) for all radiographic techniques. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was high for all techniques. CONCLUSIONS: The selected imaging techniques showed an acceptable accuracy for peri-implant bone level measurements with an overall error of less than 0.5 mm. Intra-oral images showed the smallest absolute differences.     

Diagnostic accuracy of cone-beam CT in the assessment of mandibular invasion of lower gingival carcinoma: Comparison with conventional panoramic radiography

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cone-beam CT in assessing mandibular invasion by lower gingival carcinoma and compare it with that of panoramic radiography.

Patients and methods

Fifty patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower gingiva who were examined by both panoramic radiography and cone-beam CT before surgery were included in this study. Five radiologists used a 6-point rating scale to independently evaluate cone-beam CT and panoramic images for the presence or absence of alveolar bone and mandibular canal involvement by tumor. Using the histopathogical findings as the gold standard, we calculated and compared the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az value) and the sensitivity and specificity of the two imaging modalities.

Results

In evaluations of both alveolar bone and mandibular canal involvement, the mean Az value for cone-beam CT (0.918 and 0.977, respectively) was significantly higher than that for panoramic radiography (0.793 and 0.872, respectively). The mean sensitivity for cone-beam CT (89% and 99%, respectively) was significantly higher than that for panoramic radiography (73% and 56%, respectively). There was no significant difference in the mean specificity. While cone-beam CT could provide high-resolution three-dimensional images, the image quality around the alveolar crest was often hampered by severe dental artifacts and image noise, resulting in difficulties in detecting subtle alveolar invasion.

Conclusion

Cone-beam CT was significantly superior to panoramic radiography in evaluating mandibular invasion by lower gingival carcinoma. Its diagnostic value in detecting subtle alveolar invasion, however, may be limited by severe dental artifacts and image noise.     

Radiation dose reduction in direct digital panoramic radiography

Objectives

(a) To measure the absorbed radiation doses at 16 anatomical sites of a Rando phantom and (b) to calculate the effective doses including and excluding the salivary gland doses in panoramic radiography using a conventional and a digital panoramic device.

Study design

Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-100) were placed at 16 sites in a Rando phantom, using a conventional, Planmeca Promax and a digital, Planmeca PM2002CC Proline 2000 (Planmeca Oy, 00880 Helsinki, Finland) panoramic device for panoramic radiography. During conventional radiography the selected exposure settings were 66 kVp, 6 mA and 16 s, while during digital radiography two combinations were selected 60 kVp, 4 mA, 18 s and 66 kVp, 8 mA, 18 s with and without image processing function. The dosimeters were annealed in a PTW-TLDO Harshaw oven. TLD energy response was studied using RQN beam narrow series at GAEC's Secondary Standard Calibration Laboratory. The reader used was a Harshaw, 4500. Effective dose was estimated according to ICRP₆₀ report (E_ICRP60). An additional estimation of the effective dose was accomplished including the doses of the salivary glands (E_SAL). A Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used for statistical analysis.

Results

The effective dose, according to ICRP report (E_ICRP60) in conventional panoramic radiography was 17 μSv and E_SAL was 26 μSv. The respective values in digital panoramic radiography were E_ICRP60 = 23 μSv and E_SAL = 38 μSv; while using the lowest possible radiographic settings E_ICRP60 was 8 μSv and E_SAL was 12 μSv.

Conclusions

The effective dose reduction in digital panoramic radiography can be achieved, if the lowest possible radiographic settings are used.     

Detection of interproximal caries using methods applicable to a field environment: digital radiography, manually processed film, and self-developing film

The purpose of this study was to determine if the alternatives to conventional dental radiography are diagnostically equivalent to conventional film in a field setting. These alternatives, digital radiography and self-developing film, could significantly decrease the weight and cubic size of a field X-ray set. Five radiographic methods were evaluated: self-developing film, manually processed film, film developed in an automatic processor, digital images on a liquid crystal diode, and digital images on a cathode ray tube screen. The results indicate that the liquid crystal diode system adversely affected the ability of the dentist to detect small interproximal lesions. The other methods were statistically equivalent. A recommendation for an "image acquisition" system to be included in a field dental treatment facility should be based on clinical factors as well as nonclinical factors such as cost, reliability, and logistical support requirements.     

放射诊断受检者个人放射防护用品使用效果研究

目的 研究受检者个人防护用品使用实际效果,为个人防护用品的正确使用和放射卫生行政执法提供参考和依据。方法 选取青岛市立医院影像科2022年2-6月接受X射线影像检查[口腔全景、牙片摄影、数字X射线摄影（DR）、CT扫描]受检者170例,其中,口腔全景、牙片摄影受检者各25例,CT扫描检查受检者60例、DR影像检查的受检者60例。使用热释光剂量计对170例受检者使用个人防护用品遮挡敏感部位时关注点的周围剂量当量进行检测,分析上述影像检查常规使用个人防护用品时的关注点检测数据。结果 受检者进行口腔全景时大领铅围脖内外相同点位周围剂量当量差异有统计学意义（t=-2.23,P<0.05）;进行牙片摄影时大领铅围脖内外相同点位周围剂量当量差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;进行DR摄影（胸部正位、侧位和腰椎正位）时为受检者佩戴铅围裙,其中儿童胸部正位与成人胸部侧位铅围裙内外相同点位周围剂量当量差异有统计学意义（U=10.00、19.00,P<0.05）,成人胸部正位与腰椎正位铅围裙内外相同点位周围剂量当量差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;进行CT扫描（胸部或上腹部）时,包裹式铅围裙内外相同点位周围剂量当量差异有统计学意义（U=878.50、11.00,P<0.05）。结论 受检者个人防护用品的正确使用是复杂的技术问题,全面准确理解辐射防护最优化原则正确落实受检者个人防护用品的使用非常重要,受检者个人防护用品使用方面的放射卫生行政处罚应慎重。     

Marginal bone in periodontal disease: an evaluation of image quality in panoramic and intra-oral radiography

Five observers assessed the panoramic and full-mouth (14 periapical and four posterior bitewing) radiographs of 20 patients each for the ability to interpret and measure the marginal bone level. The image quality of each site was classified as excellent, acceptable or unacceptable. Depiction errors affecting interpretability and measurability were also noted. In the upper arch, the frequency of uninterpretable and non-measurable sites was almost equal for panoramic and periapical radiography. Image quality was better with periapical radiography in the lower arch. In the posterior regions of both arches, more sites could not be measured from panoramic compared with bitewing radiographs. Due to overlapping the distal surface of the maxillary canine and the mesial surface of the first maxillary premolar could often not be interpreted in either panoramic or periapical radiographs, but infrequently in the bitewings. In the lower arch, the most frequent depiction error was inadequate density in the incisor region of panoramic radiographs. On the basis of these results, we proposed that in clinical practice the panoramic radiograph can be supplemented with individually selected periapicals. In epidemiological studies, the panoramic radiograph should be combined with a premolar bitewing radiograph.     

Genotoxic effects of X-rays on keratinized mucosa cells during panoramic dental radiography

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic effects of X-rays on epithelial gingival cells during panoramic dental radiography using a differentiated protocol for the micronucleus test. METHODS: 40 healthy individuals who underwent this procedure for diagnostic purposes on request from their dentists agreed to participate in this study. All of them answered a questionnaire before the examination. Epithelial gingival cells were obtained from the keratinized mucosa of the upper dental arcade by gentle scraping with a cervical brush immediately before exposure and 10 days later. Cytological preparations were stained according to the Feulgen-Rossenbeck reaction, counterstained with fast green 1% for 1 min and analysed under a light microscope. Micronuclei, nuclear projections (broken eggs) and degenerative nuclear alterations (pyknosis, karyolysis, karyorrhexis and condensed chromatin) were scored. RESULTS: The frequency of micronuclei was significantly higher after exposure (P < 0.05), as were the frequencies of nuclear alterations indicative of apoptosis (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that X-ray radiation emitted during panoramic dental radiography induces a genotoxic effect on epithelial gingival cells that increases the frequency of chromosomal damage and nuclear alterations indicative of apoptosis.     

A false presence of bifid mandibular canals in panoramic radiographs

Objectives

This study was performed in order to verify bifid mandibular canals revealed from panoramic radiographic results.

Methods

1000 panoramic radiographs from dental patients and the panorama, cone beam CT (CBCT) and micro-CT from 40 dry mandibles were examined for bifid mandibular canals. The results were confirmed by a stereoscopic and histological examination of the cross-sectioned mandibles.

Results

The prevalence of bifid canals detected from the panoramic radiographs was 0.038. The panoramic radiographs from one dry mandible showed two separate radiolucent mandibular canal-like structures delineated by radio-opaque lines. However, a stereoscopic and histological examination of a cross-section of the mandible showed that only one canal was a true canal containing neurovascular bundles: the other was false, reflecting merely a bony trabecular pattern.

Conclusions

The presence of bifid mandibular canals determined by panoramic radiography should be judged with great caution in relation to dental surgery.     

Cleidocranial dysplasia: radiological appearances on dental panoramic radiography.

OBJECTIVE: To report the effectiveness of dental panoramic radiography in identifying features pathognomonic for cleidocranial dysplasia. METHODS: Panoramic radiographs of nine male Caucasian patients with cleidocranial dysplasia are analysed. RESULTS: In addition to the established dental complications of failure of eruption of the permanent dentition and multiple supernumerary teeth, morphological abnormalities of the maxilla and mandible, particularly in the ascending ramus and coronoid process were present. CONCLUSION: Dental panoramic radiography is a valuable adjunct in confirming the diagnosis of cleidocranial dysplasia.     

Application of panoramic radiography with a multilayer imaging program for detecting proximal caries: a preliminary clinical study

Objective:The aim of this study is to introduce a novel program of panoramic radiography that shows 41 multilayer images from the buccal to lingual aspects in a region of interest, and to evaluate the effectiveness of this program for detecting proximal caries.Methods:In total, 480 premolars and molars on 30 panoramic radiographs taken with the multilayer imaging program were included in this study. The presence or absence of caries in 960 proximal surfaces was assessed by three experienced oral and maxillofacial radiologists as a consensus-based gold-standard. Two general dentists evaluated and scored proximal caries on 980 surfaces on panoramic radiographs with and without the multilayer imaging program. The two general dentists’ scores were compared with the gold-standard, and were analyzed for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with and without using the program. The area under the ROC curve was analyzed using STATA/SE 13.1.Results:When the multilayer imaging program was used for panoramic radiography, the inter- and intraobserver agreement of the two general dentists improved. All values, including the area under the ROC curve, were higher when the multilayer imaging program was used than when it was not used. The area under the ROC curve showed a statistically significant improvement only in Observer 1, whose diagnostic ability was poorer than that of Observer 2.Conclusions:oThis multilayer imaging program might help the inexperienced dentist to improve the diagnostic accuracy of proximal caries. If further studies would be performed in various clinical application, it could be useful when intraoral radiography taking is difficult for reasons such as mouth-opening limitations and the gag reflex of the patients.     

直接数字X线摄影与传统高千伏胸部摄影对比分析

目的　评价直接数字X线摄影术 (DR)在胸部的应用。方法　抽取我院DR胸部影像和传统高kV胸片各 10 0 0例 ,由 3位放射学医师对影像进行分析 ,分别统计甲、乙、丙及废片率 ,同时对胸部的细微结构显示率进行评价。结果　 (1)DR影像 :甲片率 5 0 6% ,乙片率 3 8 5 % ,丙片率 10 9% ,废片率 0 %。 (2 )传统高kV胸片 :甲片率 41 1% ,乙片率 44 1% ,丙片率 13 3 % ,废片率 1 5 %。 (3 )肺内的细微结构显示率 :DR影像为 10 0 0 % ,传统高kV胸片为 78 6%。经统计学处理 ,差异有非常显著性意义 (χ2 =968 6,P <0 0 0 1)。结论　DR胸部影像的诊断图像质量好于传统高kV胸片。DR系统操作简单 ,成像快捷 ,有利于放射诊断     

Digital radiography in dentistry: a survey of Indiana dentists

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the number of Indiana dental practices that utilize digital radiography and to identify the reasons for using or not using digital radiography. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 300 licensed dentists in the State of Indiana. Demographic, clinical and digital technology responses were obtained. The data were analysed using SPSS 12.0 (Statistical Package Social Sciences) software; t-tests and Pearson's chi(2) test were performed on several variables with significance levels set at P< 0.05. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-two dental practices (51%) responded to the survey. Thirty dental practices (19.7%) used digital radiography in their office. Twenty-two (73%) of the dentists using digital radiography were general practitioners. The number of dentists in a practice was a significant factor in predicting the use of digital radiography (t=2.57, P=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that digital radiography is more commonly used by general dentists in group practices.