Transparent tooth model system. An aid in the study of root canal anatomy

Clearing techniques of tooth have long since been advocated in the demonstration of root canal anatomy. We have compared the efficacy of various clearing agents such as Xylene, Benzene, Methyl salicylate and Eugenol, using 40 maxillary second premolars as experimental subjects. We have further tried to select a suitable dye for the demonstration of root canal anatomy and have compared the efficacy of various mounting media such as D.P.X. medium, Canada balsam and Commercial plastic dissolved in benzene, in preserving the cleared state. Results of our study indicate that Eugenol is a superior clearing agent and that oil-based dyes are better suited for root canal demonstration. Canada balsam is the most effective mounting media and D.P.X. medium has been found to serve both as a clearing agent and as a mounting media. We have introduced a miniature museum jar technique, for preserving the transparency permanently. The Transparent Tooth Model System presented here, thus serves as a much simpler tool, in the study of root canal anatomy, three dimensionally.