The use of a radiopaque contrast medium in endodontic radiography

Abstract

A series of in vitro studies were carried out to investigate the use and application of a radiopaque contrast medium in conventional periapical dental radiography for the diagnosis and evaluation of root canal systems. The water-soluble radiopaque contrast medium was introduced into the root canals of 30 first permanent maxillary and 30 first permanent mandibular molar teeth. The radiographic images of these teeth with and without radiopaque contrast medium in the root canal systems were compared and contrasted. Further comparisons were made with the same teeth rendered transparent. The results indicate that by standardizing the diagnostic criteria the inter-examiner reliability was in good agreement; it was independent of the radiographic technique used. The validity of the radiographs was enhanced by the use of the radiopaque contrast medium. The results confirm that, with the use of a radiopaque contrast medium, images of root canal systems are easier to read and interpret than plain radiographic images of root canal systems. The use of radiopaque contrast medium in endodontic radiography may be a valuable aid in the diagnosis and evaluation of root canal systems. This system would complement rather than replace plain radiography.

Roentgenographic In Vitro Investigation of Frequency and Location of Curvatures in Human Maxillary Premolars

“…Precise knowledge about the root canal morphology is essential, both for root canal filling and for possible placement of post systems (7,9). Different studies and various techniques have examined the configuration of root canal systems (1,13), the root canal path (15) morphological variations (2,9,25) as well as the angles of root canal curvatures (7,18,22). Despite root canal treatment possibilities, such as electronic working length determination, little data exists concerning distances and localization of root curvatures to be used as a guide for the actual straight distance of the root canal when considering post insertion.…”

“…The methodologies employed in these morphological investigations have included digital radiological procedures (4 -7) as well as computerassisted three-dimensional (3D) studies (8 -10). Other authors examined the morphological root canal variations by means of radioopaque contrast media (11)(12)(13), injection of inka ink into the root canal system (14) and with 3D-magnetic resonance imaging microscopy (15,16). Further methods to determine the root canal morphology include SEM (17) and microcomputer tomography (18,19).…”

“…Schneider (22) divided the root canal curvatures into straight root canals (Ͻ5°), slightly curved canals (10-20°) and severe curved canals (25-70°) after drawing a straight line in the longitudinal axis of the root canal on the X-ray and a second straight line from the apical foramen to the point were the canal deviates from the longitudinal axis of the tooth. The root canal angle of the curvature was determined by Shearer et al (13) as the intersection of the straight lines of the root canal path. Luiten et al (23) modified this technique and determined the root canal curvature by means of two straight lines that were geometrically defined by four points.…”

Identification of a C-shaped Canal System in Mandibular Second Molars—Part III: Anatomic Features Revealed by Digital Subtraction Radiography

“…The radiographic contrast medium is often used in clinic to change the radiopacity of some anatomic structures before the DSR. There have been many methods to introduce a water-soluble radiographic contrast medium into the root canal system, such as injecting the medium into the canal or placing the teeth under a vacuum to pull the medium into the canal irregularities (8,9). These techniques could either only be used in a laboratory study or are ineffective in distributing a contrast medium in root canals (8,9).…”

“…There have been many methods to introduce a water-soluble radiographic contrast medium into the root canal system, such as injecting the medium into the canal or placing the teeth under a vacuum to pull the medium into the canal irregularities (8,9). These techniques could either only be used in a laboratory study or are ineffective in distributing a contrast medium in root canals (8,9). In part I and II of this series studies, the device developed by Lussi et al (10) for the noninstrumental technique was modified and proved successful in introducing contrast media into C-shaped canal systems (11,12).…”