Possibilities and limits of imaging endodontic structures with CBCT

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Dental Imaging
• Radiology

Background:

• Accurate root canal anatomy imaging is crucial for endodontic diagnosis and treatment.
• Dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has advanced diagnostic imaging capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of CBCT in imaging various endodontic structures.
• To compare CBCT findings with conventional dental radiographs and direct tooth preparations.

Main Methods:

• One hundred and twenty teeth were examined using a ProMax 3D CBCT device.
• CBCT images were analyzed and compared against dental radiographs and tangential section preparations.

Main Results:

• CBCT precisely visualized common and fine anatomical structures, including side canals, ramifications, pulp stones, and obliterations.
• Accurate determination of curved root canal length and reliable visualization of root fractures were achieved.
• CBCT showed limitations in diagnosing carious lesions and evaluating restorations due to artifacts.

Conclusions:

• CBCT datasets are highly suitable for visualizing and diagnosing small anatomical structures within endodontic tissues.
• CBCT offers significant advantages for endodontic imaging, despite some limitations.