Three-dimensional imaging using microcomputed tomography for studying tooth macromorphology.

BACKGROUND The authors conducted a study to demonstrate potential applications of microcomputed tomography (microCT) in the analysis of tooth morphology. METHODS The authors selected for microCT analysis five maxillary first molars with a second canal in the mesiobuccal (MB) root, five mandibular first molars with a mesial root possessing a considerable curvature and five single-canal premolars with complicated apical anatomy. The hardware device used in this study was a desktop X-ray microfocus CT scanner (SkyScan 1072, SkyScan bvba, Aartselaar, Belgium). RESULTS The authors obtained a three-dimensional image from each of the 15 teeth. In three cases, the MB canals coalesced into one canal, while in the other two molars the canals were separate. Four of the five mandibular molars exhibited a single canal in the mesial root, which had a broad, flat appearance in a mesiodistal dimension. In the premolar teeth, the canals were independent; however, the apical delta and ramifications of the root canals were obvious, yet intricate. CONCLUSIONS MicroCT offers a reproducible technique for 3-D noninvasive assessment of root canal systems. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS While this technique is not suitable for clinical use, it can be applied to improve preclinical training and analysis of fundamental procedures in endodontic and restorative treatment.

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