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Effects of endodontic instrumentation using a macroradiographic subtraction technique: a preliminary investigation
Author(s) -
WOOKEY C. P.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
international endodontic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.988
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1365-2591
pISSN - 0143-2885
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2591.1987.tb00595.x
Subject(s) - instrumentation (computer programming) , magnification , root canal , radiography , subtraction , dentistry , superimposition , materials science , orthodontics , medicine , computer science , mathematics , radiology , artificial intelligence , arithmetic , operating system
Summary. Microfocus radiography affords a means of examining the detailed effects of instrumentation on root canal systems of extracted teeth. A series of magnified radiographs of the root before and after instrumentation was obtained using an industrial microfocus unit and fine grain film. In this way, magnification with good resolution, impossible by conventional dental radiography, was obtained. This method gave good definition of the border between dentine and pulp so that changes due to instrumentation could be detected. A subtrction technique was applied to radiographs of nine teeth before and after instrumentation to compare the change in the pulpal outline. The method entailed accurate location and superimposition of macroradiographs taken befor and after preparation. Changes in actual canal width could be measured to ±0.1 mm. The technique demonstrated that some canal walls had not been altered while other walls had been overinstrumented. Straightening and transportation of the canal were also observed on some specimens. It was concluded that macorradiography and the subtraction technique were suitable for the quantitative investigation of the change of canal shape from instrumentation.