Construction Of Standardised Simulated Root Canals In Resin Blocks For Pre-clinical Teaching

W.K.M Soo,Y.L Thong

doi:10.22452/adum.vol19no1.2

Abstract

To determine the amount of displacement of a structure noticed on an image when the tube of a dental X-ray machine was shifted vertically and horizontally. In addition, various intraoral images were combined with dental panoramic images to determine the location of structures. Our research is based on the parallax technique which requires manipulation of horizontal and vertical angulations of the X-ray tube. A metal object is positioned on the buccal and palatal side of the maxilla on the canine area of a skull. The X-ray tube is shifted incrementally to obtain images on phosphor plates. Subsequently, panaromic and occlusal images were taken to assist in localization of the metal object. To obtain a clear image shift of 2-3mm using the parallax method, there must be an adequate horizontal tube shift of approximately 30-35 degrees. When images were used in combination of dental panoramic images, it was found that the buccally placed structures can be accurately located with the periapical or occlusal images. However, the displacement of images in the palatally placed structures in panoramic imaging is not fully appreciated with the principle of parallax method. Tube movement of 30-35 degrees horizontally is needed for a 2-3 mm image shift. To successfully localize a buccal structure, a combination of either periapical or occlusal images with a dental panoramic imaging can be employed. However, this combination with panoramic imaging is limited when looking at palatally placed structures.

Highlights

Simulated canals formed in clear casting resin were first introduced by Weine et al [1], who discussed a technique for preparing straight and curved resin simulated canals (RSC)
The use of extracted teeth for pre-clinical endodontic teaching is limited because dentine conceals the root canal, whereas the radiograph, while helpful, is merely an estimate of the true position and does not allow three-dimensional visualization
LaTurno et al [3] evaluated the use of RSC in teaching preclinical endodontics, based on the quality of biomechanical root canal preparation. They found that students first trained in basic endodontic techniques using RSC made fewer pre-clinical errors, like improper canal shape and instrumenting beyond the working length

Summary

Introduction

Simulated canals formed in clear casting resin were first introduced by Weine et al [1], who discussed a technique for preparing straight and curved resin simulated canals (RSC). The use of extracted teeth for pre-clinical endodontic teaching is limited because dentine conceals the root canal, whereas the radiograph, while helpful, is merely an estimate of the true position and does not allow three-dimensional visualization. LaTurno et al [3] evaluated the use of RSC in teaching preclinical endodontics, based on the quality of biomechanical root canal preparation.

Results

Conclusion