[Observation of the number of molar root canal with X-ray imaging and three-dimensional imaging]

To find a convenient way to reconstruct the morphologic characters of the molar root canal with 3dsmax8.0 software in the laboratory and evaluate the difference of the number of molar root canal between the in vivo X-ray image and three-dimensional image.

Twelve recently extracted molar roots were studied. In vivo X-ray images were taken before serial section. Starting at the root apex, serial cross sections were taken from each specimen using a saw microtome, and each cross section was photographed under a stereoscopic microscope. All of the digital photos were inputted into the computer to be reconstructed by 3dsmax software.

A three-dimensional image of the molar root canal was built successfully. There were 19 molar root canals observed via in vivo X-ray image and 47 molar root canals observed in the three-dimensional image. The number of molar root canal that observed via in vivo X-ray image was less than that from the three-dimensional image.

Use of saw microtome and 3dsmax software can reconstruct the three-dimensional image of the tooth.