This document discusses the use of dentascan imaging in endodontics. It provides an overview of the limitations of conventional 2D imaging techniques for assessing root canal morphology and the extent of periapical infections. Dentascans provide 3D imaging which allows evaluation of anatomy in all three dimensions through various reformatted views. A case report demonstrates how dentascans identified extra canals and the full extent of periapical infection and bone loss not visible on 2D imaging. While effective, dentascans have limitations including cost and radiation dose. The document concludes dentascans can improve endodontic treatment outcomes by providing a more accurate assessment of root canal anatomy and periapical pathology.
5. CONVENTIONAL IMAGING
TECHNIQUES
PERIAPICAL RADIOGRAPHS
PANORAMIC RADIOGRAPHS
1: EASY
2:ECONOMICAL
LACK OF PERCEPTION IN THIRD DIMENSION
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6. DENTASCANS
• Dentascan, was developed by Schwarz
et al. in 1987
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Schwarz MS, Rothman SL, Rhodes ML, Chafetz N . Computed tomography.
I. Preoperative assessment of the mandible for endosseous implant surgery. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 1987 2:137–141
8. CASE
REPORT
• 45 yr male patient
• Chief complaint : Swelling in right side
of face.
• Medical history was not significant.
• Badly carious maxillary right first molar
with obliteration of buccal vestibule
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10. Extra canals in right maxillary molars Extra canals in maxillary left first and second molars
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11. Axial image showing extra canals in
multiple teeth
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12. : Axial image showing loss of cortical plate in
distobuccal and palatal root of 3D image showing loss of palatal and
right maxillary first molar buccal cortical plate
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13. Paraxial image of maxillary first molar
showing MB root
with periapical infection
with maxillary sinus inflammation
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14. 3D volume rendering showing loss of 3D volume rendering showing furcation
buccal cortical plate in right
involvement with left mandibular second molar
maxillary first molar region
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15. Mandibular anterior region showing periapical
infection with loss of labial cortical plates
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17. LIMITATIONS OF TWO
DIMENSIONAL IMAGING
•Extra canals are a common findings and
missing of these canals leads to endodontic
treatment failure.
•Intra oral radiographs - anatomy in the
third dimension cannot be assessed
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18. Root canals tend to lie one behind the
other in buccolingual plane, they get
superimposed onto each other on
periapical & panoramic radiographs
and easily go undetected
Soraya Robinson, C. Czerny, A. Gahleitner, T. Bernhart and F. M. Kainberger
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,Dental CT evaluation of mandibular first premolar root configurations and canal variations .
Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2002;93:328-32
19. Dental CT : An
alternative
•Dental CT is reformatting software
used along with spiral /helical CT and
allows assessment in all three
dimensions.
•It provides axial, panoramic,
paraxial and 3D volume rendering
which helps in diagnosis purpose
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20. Orientation of the scan
Maxilla:
Parallel to the
hard palate
Mandible:
Parallel to the
alveolar ridge or
the inferior border
of mandible
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24. 3D volume rendering showing loss of 3D volume rendering showing furcation
buccal cortical plate in right
involvement with left mandibular second molar
maxillary first molar region
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25. Present case
• .
•Access cavity revealed five canals.
•Dental CT determined the extend of
periapical infection associated with the
tooth along with loss of cortical plates ,
thereby helping in determining the
treatment plan & prognosis of the tooth
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26. MAXILLARY SINUS HYPERPLASIA
• Hyperplasia of maxillary sinus mucosa
was seen, suggesting that periapical
infection could be the initiating factor for
hyperplasia of mucosa
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27. MULTIPLE EXTRA CANALS
• Extra canals were also found in other
teeth with periapical infections in lower
anterior teeth.
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29. CONCLUSION
•Radiographic examination is an essential part of
diagnosis in endodontic. Two dimensional imaging
cannot depict variations in root canal morphology
like extra canals & the extent of the periapical
infection. This limitation of two dimensional imaging
is overcome by Dentscan. Dentascan in time may
change the way in which the outcome of the
endodontic treatment is assessed
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30. REFERENCES
• 1: Soraya Robinson, C. Czerny, A. Gahleitner, T. Bernhart and F. M. Kainberger,Dental CT
evaluation of mandibular first premolar root configurations and canal variations .Oral Surg Oral
Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2002;93:328-32
• 2: Schwarz MS, Rothman SL, Rhodes ML, Chafetz N . Computed tomography.
• I. Preoperative assessment of the mandible for endosseous implant surgery. Int J Oral
Maxillofac Implants 1987 2:137–141
• 3: James J. Abrahams: Dental CT Imaging: A Look at the Jaw: Radiology, 2001; 219:334-345.
• 4: DelBalso AM, Greiner FG, Licata M. Role of diagnostic imaging in evaluation of the dental
implant patient. Radiographics 1994; 14:699-719.
• 5: John II, Van TH, Carl EH, Gerald N G, Thomas S, Paul AR, Endodontic cavity
preparation.In :Endodontics, Fifth edn. 2002 BC Decker Inc Pg 405-570.
• 6: Neaverth EJ, et al. Clinical investigation (in vivo) of endodonticallytreated maxillary first
molars. JOE 1987; 10:506
• 8: Niemann RW, et al. Dye ingress in molars: furcation to chamber floor. JOE 1993; 19:293
• 9: Beatty RG, Krell K.Mandibular molars with five canals: report of two cases. J Am Dent
Assoc 1987; 114:802.
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31. REFERENCES
• 12: Sierashi SM. Identification and endodontic management of
three-canaled maxillary premolars. JOE 1989; 15:29.
• 13: Vertucci FJ, Selig A, Gillis R. Root canal morphology of the
human maxillary second premolar. Oral Surg 1974;38:456.
• 14: Abrahams JJ, Berger SB. Inflammatory disease of the jaw:
appearance of reformatted CT scan. AJR Am J Roentgenol
1998;170:1085-91.
• 15: Andre Gahleitner,G. Watzek,H. Imhof Dental CT: imaging
technique, anatomy and pathologic conditions of the jaws. Eur
Radiol 2003 13:366–376
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