Influence of voxel size on micro-CT analysis of debris after root canal preparation

Author(s)

Jáder Camilo Pinto ^[1] ; Fernanda Ferrari Esteves Torres ^[2] ; Airton Oliveira Santos Junior ^[3] ; Karina Ines Medina Carita Tavares ^[4] ; Juliane Maria Guerreiro-Tanomaru ^[5] ; Mario Tanomaru-Filho ^[6]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade Estadual Paulista. School of Dentistry. Department of Restorative Dentistry - Brasil

^[2] Universidade Estadual Paulista. School of Dentistry. Department of Restorative Dentistry - Brasil

^[3] Universidade Estadual Paulista. School of Dentistry. Department of Restorative Dentistry - Brasil

^[4] Universidade Estadual Paulista. School of Dentistry. Department of Restorative Dentistry - Brasil

^[5] Universidade Estadual Paulista. School of Dentistry. Department of Restorative Dentistry - Brasil

^[6] Universidade Estadual Paulista. School of Dentistry. Department of Restorative Dentistry - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brazilian Oral Research; v. 35, 2020-11-13.

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) voxel size on the evaluation of debris accumulation after passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) in curved root canals prepared with rotary nickel-titanium files. Mesial root canals (n = 24) of mandibular molars with curvature between 25° and 35° were prepared using ProDesign Logic 30/.05 (PDL) or HyFlex EDM 25/.08 (HEDM). PUI was performed after root canal preparation of all root canals. The specimens were scanned using high-resolution (5 μm voxel size) micro-CT imaging before and after experimental procedures. The percentage of debris was analyzed in the middle and apical thirds using images with 5, 10 and 20 μm voxel sizes. Data were compared using unpaired and paired Student's t-test, ANOVA and Tukey's statistical tests (α = 0.05). There were no differences among the debris analyses performed at different voxel sizes (5, 10 and 20 μm) (p > 0.05). The percentage of debris was similar between the root canals prepared by PDL and HEDM before and after PUI (p > 0.05). In both groups, the percentage of debris decreased in the middle third after PUI (p < 0.05). Within the limitations of this ex vivo study, it can be concluded that the voxel sizes evaluated did not have a significant impact on the analysis of accumulated debris. However, the results showed a tendency for detection of more debris in the analysis performed using a lower voxel size. PUI decreased the debris accumulation in the middle third of curved root canals. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/19049-0 - Evaluation of the root canal treatment procedures, physicochemical and biological properties of tricalcium silicate-based materials
• Grantee: Mario Tanomaru Filho
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/19665-6 - Effect of the acquisition and analysis of the images in micro-CT in the evaluation of different phases of endodontic treatment in mandibular molars
• Grantee: Jáder Camilo Pinto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate