CBCT Guided Endodontics: Accuracy Evaluation of Access Cavity Preparation Combined with Optical Surface Scans - An In...

To evaluate the accuracy of access cavity prepared through guide rail that was planned and produced by combining the optical surface scans and Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images.

Forty-two extracted single rooted mandibular premolar teeth were selected. The teeth were mounted in three acrylic models, containing 14 in each model. Preoperative CBCT scans and three dimensional (3D) optical surface scans were taken for the models. A virtual drill path was planned in dentine with a help of software and access cavities were prepared according to that. Difference in mean distance and angular deviation were measured and calculated.

Root canal access cavities prepared through the guide rail showed the mean angle difference of 1.69 ± 0.41° and the difference in distance between drill path and target point in the access cavity that was planned and prepared was found to be 0.74 ± 0.25 mm. Compared to the planned access cavities, the root canal access cavities produced using the guide rail had substantially smaller differences in both distance and angle deviations.

With the emergence of advancements like optical scans and CBCT Guided endodontics could be used as an alternative method to negotiate root canals in pulp obliterated teeth.