Joe Ben Itzhak

Objectives: Buccal cortical bone dimensions are crucial in dental radiology, as they impact orthodontic treatment outcomes. Changes in alveolar bone dimensions can result in malocclusion and require interdisciplinary approaches for correction. The accurate quantification of buccal bone dimensions is crucial for appropriate treatment planning and avoiding medico-legal issues. This study aimed to compare buccal bone height measurements between three-dimensional (3D) digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) data and portable document format (PDF) cone beam computer topography reports for mandibular frontal teeth, testing the hypothesis of no difference in values between the two modalities. Methods: Each of the five observers performed a total of 720 height measurements (360 by DICOM and 360 by PDF), yielding a total of 3600 measurements overall. Results: Compared with the DICOM format, using PDF files was associated with a significantly greater rate of inability to carry out the measurements (8.8% vs. 3%, respectively, p < 0.001, chi-square). The average buccal bone height measured in the DICOM was 11.51 mm, which was significantly greater than the 10.35 mm measured in the PDF (p < 0.001). The mean height measured by the DICOM was consistently greater than that measured by the PDF, with highly significant differences in the findings of four of the examiners (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Viewing modality significantly affected the height of the buccal bone in the frontal mandibular area. Compared with the generated PDF reports, the 3D DICOM viewer performed better than the printed PDF and enabled more measurements in the target area.

(1) Background: In this study, the efficacy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting dental posts was compared to periapical radiography. (2) Methods: A retrospective evaluation of 53 patients’ periapical radiographs and CBCT images was performed. The presence and type of the intra-canal dental post were initially determined on the periapical images (PA) radiographs’ examination and were then compared to the observer’s ability to detect the dental post on a CBCT image. The effect of the post’s type (metal cast or prefabricated) on its detection on CBCT images was determined. (3) Results: 10.5% of teeth that were identified as having a post on a PA radiograph were not identified as having a post on the CBCT examination (p < 0.05). Approximately 17.6% of teeth that were identified as not having a post on a PA radiograph were identified as having a post on the CBCT examination (p < 0.05). Moreover, 16.3% and 50% of teeth with a prefabricated or cast posts on PA radiographs were falsely identified on the CBCT examination, respectively (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: A CBCT image is an insufficient tool for the identification of metal prefabricated and cast posts. A PA image is the recommended radiographic tool for achieving information about the post-endodontic restoration status of teeth candidates for endodontic retreatment in patients with a former CBCT scan.

This study aimed to review the considerations for choosing a suitable sealer according to various endodontic scenarios. An electronic search of PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science was undertaken for the keywords of ‘sealer choosing’, ‘appropriate sealer’, ‘suitable sealer’, ‘sealer for clinical scenario’, and ‘sealer for clinical situations’. However, the literature review revealed a lack of studies with practical clinical recommendations regarding the choice of appropriate endodontic root canal sealers for particular clinical situations of root canal treatment. Therefore, a narrative review was undertaken under the basis of the characteristics of an epoxy resin-based sealer (ERS) versus a calcium silicate-based sealer (CSS). Based on the evidence found through the review, the choice of an appropriate sealer in a variety of clinical scenarios was proposed. An ERS is recommended for one-visit non-vital cases, teeth with periodontal involvement, cracked teeth, and internal root resorption without root perforation. A CSS is recommended for vital or non-vital cases in multiple visits, teeth with internal root resorption with perforation or internal approach for external cervical resorption, teeth with open apices, and teeth with iatrogenic aberrations.

The aim of the study was to investigate the systematic antibiotics (SAs) prescribing practices in the endodontic practice worldwide. 7500 general practitioners, postgraduate students and endodontists from Israel and the former Soviet Union (FSU) states were invited to fill in an online questionnaire. The first-choice SA was amoxicillin (80.12%) among the Israeli (p < 0.05) and amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (88.92%) among the FSU respondents (p < 0.05). The first-choice SA for patients with penicillin allergy was clindamycin (78.2%) among Israeli and azithromycin (35.96%) among the FSU respondents (p < 0.05). Most of the respondents from Israel as well as from the FSU reported prescribing SA for 5-7 days. Only 6.24% of the former and 2.59% of the latter reported prescribing SA until the symptoms disappeared (p > 0.05). The usage of SAs is often not in accordance with existing international guidelines and differs among different dentist's populations.

The aim of this article was to review age-dependent clinical recommendations for appropriate root canal instrumentation techniques. A comprehensive narrative review of canal morphology, the structural characteristics of dentin, and endodontic outcomes at different ages was undertaken instead of a systematic review. An electronic literature search was carried out, including the Medline (Ovid), PubMed, and Web of Science databases. The searches used controlled vocabulary and free-text terms, as follows: 'age-related root canal treatment,' 'age-related instrumentation,' 'age-related chemo-mechanical preparation,' 'age-related endodontic clinical recommendations,' 'root canal instrumentation at different ages,' 'geriatric root canal treatment,' and 'pediatric root canal treatment.' Due to the lack of literature with practical age-based clinical recommendations for an appropriate root canal instrumentation technique, a narrative review was conducted to suggest a clinical algorithm for choosing the most appropriate instrumentation technique during root canal treatment. Based on the evidence found through the narrative review, an age-related clinical algorithm for choosing appropriate instrumentation during root canal treatment was proposed. Age affects the morphology of the root canal system and the structural characteristics of dentin. The clinician's awareness of root canal morphology and dentin characteristics can influence the choice of instruments for root canal treatment.