Image-Based Method for Analysis of Root Canal Geometry

Abstract

Image-based techniques of observation and measurement are getting popular due to its accuracy and accessibility. In dentistry, endodontic files are used for root canal shaping and cleaning. Manufacturers design and fabricate different endodontic files. Endodontists examine the performance of different endodontic files. Endodontists used artificial root canal for comparison and examination of the file system. After shaping of artificial root canals, endodontic blocks are compared by qualitative observation. This article presents a methodology based on image analysis of artificial root canal for examination and comparing the shaping ability of endodontic files. In the proposed method, the images of the artificial root canal were processed in a custom-made MATLAB® program to quantify the root canal deviation and root canal transportation. Calculation of root canal curvature quantified root canal transportation. Performance of 20/0.02 NiTi hand file and 20/0.04 NiTi rotary file for glide path preparation was compared. Twenty endodontic blocks were divided into two experimental groups for canal preparation. Pre- and post-treatment root canals were compared regarding canal curvature modification and deviation for the experimental group of 20/0.02 NiTi hand file with self-adjusting file (SAF) and 20/0.04 NiTi rotary file with SAF using t-test at 95% confidence interval. Pre- and post-treatment images are processed in the custom-made MATLAB® program to find out the canal transportation and deviation. A significant difference in an experimental group of hand file and the rotary file was found. It has been found that canal transportation in case of 20/0.02 NiTi hand file was significantly greater than 20/0.04 NiTi rotary file.