Analysis of the obliteration of the root canal: an investigation with Micro-CT

Abstract Introduction Traumatized teeth may undergo calcific metamorphosis of the pulp, a factor which makes endodontic treatment difficult due to the total or partial obliteration of the root canal. Objective To compare the existence of root canal lumen between Cone Beam Computerized Tomography and X-ray Microtomography in human teeth. Material and method Ten single-rooted permanent teeth with some degree of obliteration observed in 2D radiographic images were selected. Cone Beam Computerized Tomography was performed, and the tomographic profile of root canal calcification was analyzed. The presence of root canal lumen was observed in the in the cervical, middle and apical thirds, and in the pulpal chamber, using scores from 1 to 5. The teeth were analyzed using X-ray Microtomography, and reconstructions were made using the NRecon software. The Friedman test with a significance level of 5% was used. Results Notably, in the cervical region, the evaluators observed a low probability of the existence of lumen in the canal, using Cone Beam Tomography. However, the Micro-CT consistently identified the presence of canal lumen in this region. In the middle and apical regions, the probability of the existence of root canal lumen was confirmed among the evaluators at 100%, using Microtomography. A pattern of root canal obliteration from the crown to the apex was also observed in all specimens, and the canal lumen was confirmed using Microtomography images. Conclusion It was evident that, for the endodontic treatment of cases with canals barely visible in the tomography, the probability of their existence is high. Resumo Introdução Dentes traumatizados podem sofrer com metamorfose cálcica da polpa, fator que dificulta o tratamento endodôntico devido à obliteração total ou parcial do canal radicular. Objetivo Comparar a existência de luz do canal radicular entre a Tomografia Computadorizada Cone Beam e a Microtomografia de Raios-X em dentes humanos. Material e método Foram selecionados dez dentes permanentes unirradiculares com algum grau de obliteração observada em imagem radiográfica 2D. Foi realizada a Tomografia Computadorizada de Feixe Cônico, e analisado o perfil tomográfico da calcificação dos canais radiculares. A presença da luz do canal radicular foi observada nos terços cervical, médio, apical e na câmara pulpar, utilizando escores de 1 a 5. Os dentes foram analisados usando Microtomografia de Raios-X e reconstruções foram feitas com o software NRecon. O