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Endodontic fillings evaluated using en face OCT, microCT and SEM.
Marius Mihai Ţogoe1, Emanuela Lidia Crăciunescu, Florin Ionel Topală
1Research Center in Dental Medicine Using Conventional and Alternative Technologies, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania; emanuela.craciunescu@umft.ro.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) non-invasively assesses endodontic filling quality, identifying defects and gaps. This advanced imaging technique offers real-time visualization superior to micro-computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy.
Area of Science:
- Endodontics
- Biomedical Imaging
- Materials Science
Background:
- Root canal therapy aims to clean, shape, and seal the root canal system.
- Effective sealing is crucial for long-term endodontic treatment success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficiency of three imaging methods in assessing endodontic filling quality.
- Compare en face (ef) time domain (TD) optical coherence tomography (OCT), micro-computed tomography (μCT), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Main Methods:
- In vitro study utilizing efOCT, μCT, and SEM.
- Assessing the ability of each method to detect defects and voids in root canal fillings.
- Quantifying identified gaps and interface characteristics.
Main Results:
- efOCT identified defects and voids, including gaps as small as 50 μm.
- μCT revealed imperfections in fillings and at sealer-root canal interfaces.
- SEM highlighted complex interface morphology and material shortcomings.
Conclusions:
- OCT offers non-invasive assessment of endodontic filling quality.
- OCT's axial resolution is sufficient for detecting material gaps.
- efOCT provides real-time imaging of filling material-dentin interfaces.
