Comparative evaluation of the efficiency of cone-beam computed tomography, clinical analysis, and dental loupes in detecting the MB2 canal in maxillary first molars. An in-vitro study

Abstract

The success of an Endodontic treatment relies on the position and morphology of root canals. It is important for a clinician to be familiar with the canal morphology to negotiate and thereby filling the canals with an inert material. But, the possibility of negotiating the canals with the use of conventional technique alone is difficult. Hence, careful examination with the use of advanced techniques to enhance vision is required to minimize the rate of treatment failures. To compare the efficiency of three methods Cone-Beam computed Tomography (CBCT), clinical analysis, AND Dental Loupes in detecting the MB2 canal in maxillary first molars.One hundred and fifty extracted intact permanent molars were collected. Two examiners i.e., one Endodontist and a Radiologist examined CBCT images of teeth for the number and position of root canals. The first stage included unaided examination using an explorer and K- files. While those teeth that were failed to locate the canals were examined using dental loupes for better magnification. The results were analyzed by McNemar's tests with Bonferroni correction, and Chi-square test using SPSS software v21.Among 150 extracted teeth that were compared,MB2 was detected using CBCT in around 68% of the teeth, while with the use of naked eye and dental loupes, it was found to be around 30% and 66% respectively and the difference in the detection rates was statistically significant.With the view of the parameter under consideration, CBCT has high detection rates followed by dental loupes and naked eye vision. The efficiency of CBCT scans and dental loupes in detecting a second mesio-buccal canal, thus making it more likely to be treated by the clinician.