Intraoral Radiographic Processing Skills among Dentists in Saudi Arabia

AIM: The present study was designed to investigate use of intraoral radiographic techniques (conventional and digital) among general dental practitioners (GDP) in Saudi Arabia with focus on its availability in workplace, ease of the technique, and the recommended technique to be taught during undergraduate based on individual experience. METHODS: A questioner in form of a Google sheet was designed concerning demographic data, country, district, university, year of graduation, availability of radiographic technique available in workplace, which technique learned during undergraduate study, and which technique should teach during undergraduate study based on individual experience. A GDP list was developed from different dental groups on social media. The questioner was sent to the GDP list and to improve the response rate, telephone calls were made in advance to all expected participants. RESULTS: About 62.2% of participants were graduated within past 5 years, the most common dental X-ray processing technique learned during undergraduate study was the digital and conventional (both theoretical and practical) in 47.6% of participants followed by conventional (theoretical and practical) technique in 21% participants. Based on their work experience, 74.8% of participants preferred both digital and conventional techniques should be taught in dental Saudi Universities/Colleges while, the digital method was preferred by 21%. CONCLUSION: However, intraoral digital radiographic technique is widely available in most regions in Saudi Arabia; it is recommended to teach both intraoral digital and conventional radiographic techniques during undergraduate study.

Radiological diagnosis of phimosis in a dog and cat.

Phimosis in juvenile cats and dogs has been infrequently reported in veterinary literature. A novel contrast radiographic technique of the preputial cavity, termed a preputiogram, can be utilized in the diagnosis and surgical planning of correction of phimosis in dogs and cats.

Review of the radiographic modalities used during dental implant therapy - A narrative

The introduction of digital x-ray receivers which replaced conventional films was a significant radiographic development that is commonly used in daily dental practice. Dental implant therapy (DIT) is a sought after dental therapeutic intervention and dental radiography is an essential component contributing to the success of treatment. Dental radiographs taken in daily practice are generally conventional two-dimensional images and/or three-dimensional images. Ideally, the choice of radiographic technique should be determined after a thorough clinical examination and comprehensive consideration of the advantages, indications, and drawbacks. Digital three-dimensional modalities that have emerged over the last decade have been incorporated into DIT with the assumption that treatment outcomes will be improved. These modalities are constantly being reassessed and improved but there is a paucity of published information regarding the assessment of variables such as dosages and dimensional accuracy, suggesting that further research in these matters is necessary. This is crucial in order to obtain evidence-based information that may influence future radiographic practices. In this narrative, the authors present the most commonly used dental radiographic modalities currently used in DIT.

Accuracy of digital bitewing radiographs with and without applying horizontal tube shift in the diagnosis of residual excess cement around dental implants: An in vitro study.

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic value of digital Bitewing (BW) radiographs with and without horizontal tube shift in detecting Residual excess cement (REC) on the proximal and non-proximal surfaces of implant restorations. Material and Methods: Eight mandibular models were fabricated with two implants placed on each side in the premolar and first molar positions. Excess cement was applied to either proximal or non-proximal surfaces of the restorations intentionally during the process of crown cementation. BW radiographs with and without applying horizontal tube shift were acquired. Three maxillofacial radiologists were asked to determine the presence and location of REC in the radiographs. Sensitivity and specificity of the radiographic technique were assessed according to the restoration surface that contained REC. Results: Sensitivity of BW radiographs was 100% for the detection of REC on the proximal surfaces and 41-18, 80% on the non-proximal surfaces. Specificity of the technique was 85.71%-100% for the proximal surfaces and 75-94. 12% for the non-proximal areas. Specificity of the radiographic method was generally greater than its sensitivity for the non-proximal surfaces while in the proximal areas, the two variables had quite similar values. Conclusion: Digital BW radiography is generally more useful for detection of REC on the proximal surfaces. Higher specificity of this technique for the bucco-lingual surfaces suggests more reliability of the negative diagnoses in the non-proximal areas.

Case Reports of a New Method for Differential Diagnosis of Calcified Carotid Artery Atheroma

Introduction. Early diagnosis of calcified atheromas may decrease morbidity and mortality caused by brain and cardiovascular diseases, in which atherosclerosis is the main etiological factor of these pathologies. Dental examinations with the aim of detecting this pathology have been in progress since 1981, such as panoramic radiography, considered the most widely studied method for this diagnosis. However, some limitations of this exam have been reported with reference to inability to visualize the cervical region and difficulty of establishing a precise diagnosis because of many structures and calcifications that have similar radiographic characteristics. Case Report. The present study to describe a dental radiographic technique for establishing the differential diagnosis of calcified atheromas regarding other calcifications and reporting 3 clinical cases that demonstrate its effectiveness in different clinical situations. Discussion. Manzi Projection can promote a differential diagnosis of calcified atheromas in dental practice and consequently subsidize the clinician for referring the patient to the physician.