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To evaluate the efficacy of examinations by endoscope of root canals to determine residual root canal filling materials by comparison with microcomputed tomographic (micro-CT) images as reference. Thirty maxillary second premolars with oval canals received root canal treatment. Then D-Race retreatment files were used to remove the root canal fillings supplemented by XP-endo Finisher. Samples were scanned to reconstruct micro-CT reference images. Images were obtained of all samples from the mesiodistal and buccolingual directions by digital radiography. Then the root canals of specimens mounted in manikins were assessed by endoscope. The radiographic and endoscopic results were scored following comparison with the micro-CT images, which served as a reference, by 2 blinded observers. The interexaminer reliability of the assessments was evaluated by kappa test and the accuracy of endoscopic visualization according to the presence of residual root canal filling materials was compared using Kruskal–Wallis H test and Spearman's rank order correlation with the level of significance set at 5%. The efficiency of the periapical radiography and endoscopy to determine residual root canal filling material was similar in every third of the root canal (P >.05). The endoscope detected residual root canal filling material as efficiently as periapical radiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic visualisation to detect the presence and type of isthmuses within the mesial root canals of mandibular first molar teeth compared with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) images as reference. Materials and Methods Thirty-two mesial roots of mandibular first molars presenting isthmuses were selected based on micro-CT scans. In all, 12 type I and 20 band-shaped isthmuses were collected. The specimens were mounted in the posterior socket of dental phantom manikin for endoscopic visualisation. The ability of endoscopes to visualize the presence of isthmuses and distinguish the type of isthmuses was compared. Micro-CT images of the specimens were used as references. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact tests. Results Sensitivity of endoscope to detect isthmuses were also calculated for each isthmus type. In 37.5% of the samples, isthmus presence was correctly diagnosed via orthograde endoscopic visualization. Type I istmuses were significantly more detected than band-shaped isthmuses (P<0.05). Endoscope showed higher sensitivity to detect type I isthmus than band-shaped isthmus. Conclusion The endodontic endoscope could detect type I isthmuses more accurately than band-shaped isthmuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of endoscopic visualization to detect root canal anastomoses at the coronal half of the mesial root canals of mandibular molars using micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) images as reference.Material and methods: Seventy-four mesial roots of mandibular first molars with (n = 47) or without (n = 27) intercanal anastomosis were selected based on the micro-CT scans of 269 mandibular first molars at a pixel size of 10 µm. The specimens were mounted on the mannequins and their root canals were evaluated using dental operating microscope (DOM) and endoscope. The endoscopic probe was inserted into the main mesial root canals and 2 blinded observers evaluated the presence of a divergence point of anastomosis (where the branching occurs) as 'present' or 'absent'. The scorings were compared with the three-dimensional reconstructed images of the specimens and recorded as 'correct' or 'incorrect' evaluation. Degree of agreement between evaluators was assessed with Kappa test and the accuracy of endoscopic visualization according to the presence and location of anastomosis was compared using Fisher exact tests with a significance threshold at 5%.Results: High inter-examiner reliability was reported (0.91). None of the divergence points were identified using DOM whereas 11 divergence points were detected using endoscope, corresponding the 23.4% of the intercanal anastomoses. The endoscope also showed the absence of an intercanal anastomosis correctly in all of the specimens without an anastomosis. Detectability of a divergence point using endoscope was not affected by its location within the coronal half of root canal (p > .05).Conclusions: The endoscopes were able to visualize the divergence points of 23.4% of the intercanal anastomoses located at the coronal halves of root canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]