Literature

Substances or regions with low permeability to X-rays are referred to as radiopaque. If a radiopaque object is present in the imaging area, the film or sensor receives less radiation; as a result, the image appears whiter or lighter.

Substances or regions with high permeability to X-rays are referred to as radiolucent. If a radiolucent object is present in the imaging area, the film or sensor receives more radiation; as a result, the image appears blacker or darker

Field of View (FOV) is a concept that defines the imaging area in dental tomography. It is generally cylindrical, and its height and width may vary depending on the device used. Some devices offer multiple FOV options. The generally accepted principle in dental radiology is to select an imaging area suitable for the region of interest. In this way, if only a specific region is to be examined, an FOV sufficient for that region is selected, preventing other areas from being exposed to radiation. Thanks to the advanced collimation found particularly in Morita dental tomography devices, dose management is achieved by sending radiation only to the region intended to be imaged.

The plane that vertically divides the forehead, nose, lips, and chin symmetrically into right and left halves is called the Midsagittal Plane.

Also referred to as the Frankfurt Horizontal Plane, this is the plane assumed to pass parallel to the ground, connecting the temporomandibular joint with the zygomatic orbital bone. Its projection on the face can be determined by drawing a line parallel to the ground from the ear canal to a point one centimeter below the infraorbital rim.

The plane parallel to the contact line where the teeth arranged in the maxilla and mandible touch and close against each other is called the Occlusal Plane.

These are sections taken parallel to the ground. In other words, they are sections imaged in the horizontal plane. In axial sections, the jaw is viewed from above or below, allowing observation of the depth and shape of the dental arch.

These are vertical sections taken from front to back when viewed from the front. In other words, they are sections imaged in the frontal plane.

These are sections taken vertically from front to back when viewed from the side. In other words, they are sections imaged in the lateral plane. Sagittal sections reveal both the depth and the vertical height of the bone.

These types of sections are created by applying a special angle. Sections taken perpendicular to each tooth with an angle suitable for the dental arch are generally referred to as 'cross-sections', 'radial sections', or sometimes 'transverse sections'.

This is the general name for the process of creating new sections by drawing a curve parallel to the dental arch in tomography images. In the type called Curved MPR, the sections created along the dental arch are in an orthogonal, i.e., right-angled form. By drawing MPR at different angles, multi-sectional images of the desired coronal, sagittal, or axial plans can be obtained.

This is the 3D simulation and display of the skull's bone structure. It is possible to rotate this volumetric image in any direction, cut it, segment it, and view the bone structure or only the teeth by changing tissue density.

Also referred to as a guide image, the scout image is a positioning aid used in dental tomography devices. It is usually created with a single-shot X-ray image from the profile (lateral) and the front (PA). By detecting the location to be imaged on this guide image on the computer screen, the device is directed to the actual tomography position. In some Morita brand devices, a panoramic X-ray can also be used as a scout image.

Generally, this is a concept related to protecting health and living healthily. In medicine, it is the general name for all processes and methods that ensure freedom from microbes and keep the environment/instruments in a state that does not harm health.

Any microorganism (such as a virus, bacteria, prion, spore, or fungus) that causes disease in the animal, human, or plant it inhabits.

The physical removal of biological and chemical soil, clots, and dried residues from the environment.

The elimination of pathogenic microorganisms. The disinfection process can be performed manually by soaking instruments in disinfection liquids, or it can be carried out using advanced washer-disinfectors.

The destruction of all microorganisms, whether pathogenic or not, including their spore forms.

The prevention of the transmission of microorganisms to humans.

The cleaning of pathogens present in a wound.

Chemical agents that provide antisepsis.

The process of sterilizing instruments by keeping them at high temperatures around 170°C-200°C for a certain period.

The general name for devices that attempt to sterilize instruments by keeping them at high temperatures around 170°C-200°C for a certain period. Today, due to certain disadvantages, dry heat sterilizers are no longer preferred and are being replaced by autoclaves. This is because such sterilizers require very high temperatures and long durations (e.g., 1 hour at 170°C). High heat can damage instruments. Sterilization with dry heat is a time-consuming method and is not suitable for every metal instrument (e.g., handpieces). It is not suitable for hollow instruments or turbines. Products containing plastic or gaskets cannot be sterilized in these devices.

The destruction of microorganisms by exposing instruments to high-pressure steam. The basic principle of this method is to remove air from the environment to ensure that steam penetrates everywhere. Pressurized steam destroys microorganisms by bursting their cell membranes.

A device that provides sterilization with saturated water vapor. It is also referred to as a 'Steam Sterilizer.' The word Autoclave means 'self-locking.' It is given this name because its lid locks automatically when the pressure rises. The basic principle in autoclaves is to ensure that every point of the material to be sterilized comes into contact with water vapor at a certain temperature for a sufficient time. Since moisture plays an important role in heat transfer, much faster and effective sterilization is achieved.

Sterilization of solid instruments, type A hollow instruments, and porous products, whether wrapped or unwrapped, within the loads specified in this standard. (In Class B, different types of products can be sterilized in the same cycle; textiles, solid instruments, hollow instruments, wrapped and unwrapped products can be loaded simultaneously). Class B autoclaves must perform a fractionated and repeated pre-vacuum to achieve this. Furthermore, performing vacuum in stages with a vacuum pump after heating begins, and even performing the drying process with vacuum, are characteristics of Class B sterilization.

Sterilization of instruments, including at least one of the following as defined by the autoclave manufacturer, and all solid instruments: Porous products, small porous products, Type A hollow products, Type B hollow products, single-layer wrapped products, and multi-layer wrapped products. (Class S sterilizes all these mentioned products; based on the autoclave manufacturer's definition, at least one type can be sterilized together with solid instruments in the same cycle). Autoclaves performing Class S sterilization generally only perform a vacuum before heating begins. However, Melag brand Class S autoclaves are suitable for the sterilization of many products, including wrapped items and handpieces, as they perform both a pre-vacuum and a fractionated gravity vacuum after steam generation begins.

Sterilization of only unwrapped and solid instruments. Class N autoclaves are generally used for the sterilization of instruments that do not contain hollows, such as hand tools. Melag Class N autoclaves distinguish themselves from other Class N autoclaves with their fractionated vacuum feature.

The entirety of the phases a sterilization device performs in one use is called a cycle. A cycle usually consists of three phases. Pre-sterilization phase: Air is evacuated via single or multiple vacuums, and pressure and temperature rise. Sterilization phase: This is the stage of waiting for a certain period at the appropriate pressure and temperature. It waits for the time foreseen by the program at the temperature and pressure required by the selected program. Post-sterilization phase: This is the drying phase with the final vacuum. At this stage, pressure and temperature drop, and the device returns to normal temperature. If the instruments are to be used immediately, the device can be stopped and the contents removed without waiting for the drying phase, because the load that has reached this stage is now sterile.