Radiographic measurement of residual root thickness in premolars with post preparation

A minimum thickness of 1 mm has been suggested for the residual root wall in post preparation. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the reliability of radiography when used to measure root thickness. In 106 upper first premolars with one and two root canals, post preparations were made with Peeso reamers to a depth in the root equal to the crown length. Bucco-palatal radiographs were taken of each tooth. The films were processed and projected with a magnification of x20. The smallest thickness of the mesial and distal walls of each root at the apical end of the preparation was measured and recorded. The teeth were then cut at the level of the measurement, and the smallest thickness of the proximal walls was measured using a microscope with a micrometric eyepiece. Fourteen percent of the teeth with one root canal and 27% of the teeth with two root canals could not be measured due to blurred radiographic contours. Variance analysis showed a highly significant difference (p < 0.001) when radiographic and anatomical measurements were compared. The radiograph showed greater thicknesses than were actually present and should not therefore be considered to be a reliable method for measuring residual thickness of tooth walls after post preparation.