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Aim To evaluate the use of peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) for qualitative and quantitative analysis of root canal anatomy and for assessing the extent of canal enlargement during root canal instrumentation. The volume variation achieved by S1 ProTaper instruments in the coronal third of the root canals was analysed using peripheral computed tomography. The tooth was scanned in the horizontal plane producing 36 consecutive cross-sectional images. All images were the result of 360 projections with a section thickness of 250 μm, a distance between slices of 0.5 mm and an in-plane pixel size of 70 × 70 μm. The evaluation was completed before and after S1 ProTaper instrumentation (with or without circumferential filing) of one root canal of a freshly extracted maxillary first premolar tooth. The acquired images were realigned geometrically and processed using a 3D visualization software. pQCT scanning allowed 3D reconstruction of the root canal anatomy and the assessment of the extent of canal enlargement during root canal instrumentation with lateral displacement of canal walls and hence volume change being greater than the coefficient of variation. The densitometry evaluation showed uniform density along the root canal wall. Key learning points • pQCT scanning allowed 3D reconstruction of the root canal anatomy and the assessment of the extent of canal enlargement during root canal instrumentation. • pQCT shows promise for allowing qualitative and quantitative analysis of endodontic procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]