Three dentists from the Department of Dentistry, Aarhus University, won first, second and third prizes at an international congress in Chile. The prizes were given for the researchers' scientific contributions.

2015.10.08 | Malene Løvig Nielsen

Left to right: Lars Bo Petersen, Louise Hauge Matzen and Gabriela Salatino Liedke.

In late August the International Association of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology held their congress for oral radiology in Chile – and honoured three dentists from Aarhus University for their scientific contributions. Louise Hauge Matzen received a first prize, Lars Bo Petersen a second prize, and Gabriela Salatino Liedke a third prize. A total of seven researchers were nominated for the three prizes.

Diagnostic imaging research

The three dentists’ field of research is oral radiology; specifically the use of cone-beam CT (CBCT) scans. A CBCT scanner is a simplified version of the medical CT scanner, and is developed for the head and neck region. It is used in dental practice and creates a 3D image of the skull.

Louise Hauge Matzen examines the use of CBCT scans for the diagnosis of non-erupted teeth with a view to establishing evidence-based guidelines for when CBCT scans should be used. In Chile she presented her study of which X-ray images Danish dentists take before surgically removing the non-erupted wisdom teeth in the lower jaw, including how widespread CBCT scanning is. In the study, Louise Hauge Matzen assessed the quality of the scanning images and their influence on taking additional X-ray images.

Lars Bo Petersen conducts research into the use of CBCT scans in connection with the surgical removal of wisdom teeth in the lower jaw. The aim of the research is to examine whether patients experience a more complication-free process following the operation in cases where the surgical procedure is based on a CBCT scan, compared with the traditional 2D method. In his study, Lars Bo Petersen also examines the resource consumption involved in carrying out CBCT scans.

Gabriela Salatino Liedke conducts research into how CBCT scans can be used to assess the bone around dental implants. She examines the factors which influence how visible the bone around dental implants is in CBCT images. The different types of metal from which implants can be manufactured can interfere with the scanning image. This can ultimately have an effect on the patient's diagnosis.

Further information

Assistant Professor Louise Hauge Matzen
Aarhus University, Department of Dentistry
Direct tel.: (+45) 8716 7457
louise.hauge.matzen@odont.au.dk 

PhD student Lars Bo Petersen
Aarhus University, Department of Dentistry
lars.bo.petersen@odont.au.dk 

PhD student Gabriela Salatino Liedke
Visiting scientist at Aarhus University, Department of Dentistry