Introduction: A few studies investigated the numerous potential endodontic uses of CBCT, including the
examination of root canal morphology and presumed that CBCT was effective for the initial identification of
such morphology; moreover CBCT is a reliable method for the detection of the MB2 canal when compared
with the gold standard of physical sectioning of the specimen. The aim of this study was to identify the root
and canal morphology of the maxillary first molars among Malaysians analysed by cone-beam computed
tomography (CBCT) images.
Materials and Methods: Maxillary first (n = 421) molars from Malaysian patients
(n = 241) of Malay, Chinese and Indians inceptions were examined by two Endodontists using in vivo CBCT
methods. The number and configuration of roots, the number of root canals, and the canal configuration
according to Vertucci’s classification were determined.
Results: Single roots were not found in maxillary
first molars. The incidence of fused roots was 1.995% in the first molars between mesiobuccal and
distobuccal roots. In (421) 3-rooted maxillary first molars, additional canals were found in 45.6% of the
mesiobuccal (MB) roots and 0% of the distobuccal (DB) roots. Bilateral symmetry of the MB roots was found
in 82.36% of the first molar. Only one tooth was found to have pulp stone inside the pulp chamber.
Conclusions: The root and canal configuration of a Malaysian population showed different features from
those of other populations. CBCT scans can enhance the understanding of root canal anatomy, with the
potential of improving the outcome of endodontic treatment.
This study aim to evaluate the effect of different angle on bone density estimation based on HU on CT and CBCT scanning. A phantom of jaw was scanned using CT and CBCT machine from different angle (0, 15 and 30 degrees). The data were transformed into DICOM format and loaded into MIMICS software for density measurement. The density was measured at 9.55 mm from cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) on every different angle scanning data. Then these data were grouped as Group A1, A2 and A3 for CBCT group (0, 15 and 30 degrees, respectively) and Group B1, B2 and B3 for CT group (0, 15 and 30 degrees, respectively). The differences between the groups and the references (0 degree scanning) are measured statistically using SPSS software. In the CBCT data, the density reading at 15 and 30 degrees are higher than 0 degree scanning (mean difference = -155.63±62.61, p=0.03, mean difference = -33.13±84.24, p=0.206 for 15 and 30 degrees scanning, respectively). In the CT data, the density at 15 and 30 degrees scanning is lower than at 0 degrees scanning (mean different: 84.49±46.76, p=0.09 and 15.09±23.61, p=0.532). The differences are not significant statistically. Compared with CT, the effect of different angle scanning on density estimation on CBCT is stronger. These results showed that different angle scanning produce more error on density estimation based on HU on CBCT compared with CT. This study demonstrated that the uses of a CBCT and CT for density monitoring to evaluate bone density of jaws are affected by angle scanning.
The aims of this study were to fabricate cellulose acetate (CA) film from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OP-EPB), as well as to characterize and evaluate their biocompatibility. Several processes were carried out, and these included prehydrolysis-soda method, chlorine free bleaching method, including oxygen, ozone and peroxide, to produce the cellulose pulp. Then, a liquid phase acetylation method was applied through acetic acid-acetic anhydride-sulphuric acid. Triethyl citrate (TEC) ester was used as additive at different percentages of 10, 20, 30 and 40 wt%. The film produced was characterized by FTIR to identify the functional group of the CA film and their tensile properties were further characterized. Biocompatibility of the film was evaluated using cytotoxicity test. Stem cell derived from human deciduous teeth (SHED) was used with MTS assay. The results showed at 30% of TEC, the tensile strength and elongation of CA (OP-EFB) film was at the optimum and is therefore suitable to be used in dental application. The cytotoxicity evaluated showed that the fabricated CA (OP-EFB) films were non-toxic up to the concentration tested, and are thus compatible with SHED.