Abstract
Introduction
The determination of root canal length is a significant outcome predictor for endodontic
treatments. The aim of this prospective, controlled clinical study was to analyze
endodontic working length measurements in preexisting cone-beam computed tomography
(CBCT) scans and to compare them with clinical root canal length determination by
using an electronic apex locator (EAL).
Methods
All included patients had received a CBCT scan independent of the present study and
needed root canal treatment of at least 1 anterior tooth visible in the field of view.
Clinically, the root canal length was measured with an EAL by an endodontist. This
measurement was compared with the root canal length as measured on vestibulo-oral
and mesiodistal CBCT sections by an examiner not involved in the endodontic treatment.
The CBCT measurements were repeated once for analysis of intrarater reliability.
Results
Forty anterior teeth in 30 patients (13 women and 17 men; average age, 44 years; range,
18–80 years) were included in this investigation. The Pearson correlation coefficient
(r) comparing the root canal length measurements by using CBCT and EAL was 0.97. In
addition, high intrarater reliability for the CBCT measurements was found (r = 0.99).
Conclusions
This prospective, controlled clinical study showed that limited CBCT scans can be
used for endodontic working length measurements. Future studies are needed to evaluate
whether preexisting CBCT scans could replace initial periapical radiographs and working
length periapical radiographs.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 07, 2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
