Root canal curvature as a prognostic factor influencing the diagnostic accuracy of radiographic working length determination and postoperative canal axis modification: an in vitro comparative study

Abstract

Background Radiographic analysis of tooth morphology is mandatory for accurate calibration of the degree of canal curvature angle and radiographic working length to its real dimensions in case difficulty assessment protocols. This study aimed to determine the impact of the degree of root canal curvature angle on maintaining the real working length and the original canal axis of prepared root canals using a reciprocating rotary instrumentation technique. Methods Radiographic image analysis was performed on 60 extracted single-rooted human premolar teeth with a moderate canal curvature (10°–25°) and severe canal curvature (26°–70°). Working length and longitudinal canal axis were determined using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and digital periapical radiography. The real canal length was determined by subtracting 0.5 mm from the actual canal length. Root canals were prepared using the WaveOne Gold reciprocating file (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). Results There was no significant relation of the degree of canal curvature angle to the accuracy of radiographic working length estimated on CBCT and digital periapical radiographic techniques (P > 0.05). Postinstrumentation changes in the original canal axis between moderate and severe canal curvature angles, assessed on CBCT and periapical digital radiographic images were statistically non-significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions A standardized digital periapical radiographic method performed similarly to the CBCT technique near to its true working length. No significant interaction exists between the diagnostic working length estimation, postoperative root canal axis modification, and the degree of canal curvature angle, using reciprocating rotary instrumentation technique.

Evaluation of the Shaping Ability of Three Thermally Treated Nickel–Titanium Endodontic Instruments on Standardized 3D-printed Dental Replicas Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

“…Although canal transportation was induced during the cutting action for the enlargement of the root canal, the shape of the simulated root canals was not significantly modified from the original trajectory. These results are similar with other studies on human teeth regarding canal transportation and centring ability of NiTi instruments, which concluded that they tend to preserve the natural shape of the root canals [33,34].…”

“…Data obtained in the present study, after evaluating the three endodontic shaping systems included in this research, revealed minor mean values of the curvature angle variation ranging from 0.95 • to 2.58 • . These results are comparable to those of other investigations in which the experimental studies were conducted under similar settings as in the present one [34]. However, no comparison was found in the literature between the three shaping systems included in the present study.…”

Shaping ability of ProTaper Gold in preparation of moderate curved canals (in vitro study)

“…In their study, GT files have shown a slight enlargement over instrumentation toward the inner side in the beginning of curvature [10]. Faraj B. determines that there is no statistically significant difference between the diagnostic and postinstrumental working length when using files with reciprocating rotation such as WaveOne Gold [11].…”

Effect of XP-Endo Finisher Rotary File on Removal of Smear Layer on the Root Canal Wall Using Different Rotary Files and Different Irrigants (An Ex- vivo Study)

“…The teeth were then stored in normal saline (Marksans Pharma Ltd, India) until the moment of use. 9 The inclusion criteria included extracted human maxillary first molar teeth with MB roots with moderate curvature (10-25°), mesio-buccal roots with (type 1: canal configuration), teeth without root caries, crack, fracture, or internal and external root resorption. The maxillary first molar teeth were selected from patients aged (30 to 40).…”