A computerized method for the evaluation of root canal morphology

Abstract

The objective of this research was to develop a technique that would allow three-dimensional imaging of root canals utilizing computer image processing. Ten single-rooted permanent human teeth with mature apices were analysed. The teeth were decoronated and fixed on boards with the long axis of the root perpendicular to the board. The cross-sectioning started at the root apex and continued in the coronal direction, roughly perpendicular to the long axis of the ++root. The samples were divided into two groups. The first five samples were sectioned 15 times, each section being 0.5-mm thick, in order to obtain the three-dimensional reconstruction of the root and the root canal. The root apex of each sample was cross-sectioned 19 times and each section was 0.2-mm thick. After each section, the root canal contour was defined utilizing the calibrated net with coordinate system in the ocular of the stereomicroscope. The coordinates of the root canal cross-section contour thus determined, together with the value of the thickness of each cut, were relevant input data for the reconstruction of the root canal cross-sections, longitudinal sections and for the final three-dimensional rebuild of the root and the root canal model. this technique appears to be highly accurate in determining the anatomy of the root canal system and may also be applied in other fields of dental research.

Quantitative evaluation of the accuracy of micro‐computed tomography in tooth measurement

“…Sectioning the tooth is the most accurate method, but it is invasive and restricts the study to predetermined levels. Furthermore, the tooth is destroyed and the procedure is difficult and time-consuming (Blašković-Šubat et al, 1995). Conventional radiographic methods of *Correspondence to: Seung-Pyo Lee, Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Anatomy, College of Dentistry, Seoul National University, 28-22 Yeonkun-Dong, Jongno-Ku, Seoul 110-749, Korea.…”

Morphology of the apical root canal system in Korean mandibular first molar

“…이전의 많은 연구들에서 근단공의 크기 및 형태를 관찰, 분석하기 위하여 여러 연구 방법이 보고되었다. SEM 관찰 19) 및 three-dimensional imaging technique 23) , highresolution tomography technique 24) 등을 사용하여 측정 의 정확성을 향상시키고 오차를 감소시키고자 하였으나, 근 단공의 정확하고 표준화된 분석은 불가능한 실정이다. 입체 현미경은 치아의 외형을 분석하는데 신뢰성이 있으며, 근단 공을 평가하는데 사용되고 있다 10) .…”

Evaluation of canal preparation with Ni-Ti rotary files by micro computed tomography

“…However, only midroot area reconstructed by five cross-sections could not provide sufficient data 18) . Blaskovic-Subat et al combined actual tooth sectioning and computerized method and produced more accurate root and root canal model 19) . But tooth sectioning in these methods caused the loss of tooth material and incontinuity of segments.…”