Comparison between the accuracy of digital and conventional radiographies for evaluation of the curved canals length

ABSTRACT

Proper cleaning and shaping of the root canal system is one of the most important aspects of endodontic therapy. To estimate the canal length before instrumentation in endodontic treatment, traditionally, conventional radiographic techniques and, recently, Direct Digital Radiography [DDR] are applied. The application of computer technology in radiography has allowed less exposure time for image acquisition, better storage and retrieval, and transmission to remote sites in a digital format, elimination of processing, and a considerable time saving. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of DDR and conventional radiography in determination of working lengths of curved canals in first mandibular molars. Forty extracted human first mandibular molars with root curvature were selected. Samples were divided into two groups With root curvatures less and more than 25[o]. The samples were mounted in plaster blocks and their canal lengths were estimated by using DDR and conventional radiographs. Regression analysis, correlation coefficient, and t test were used for statistical analysis. In spite of the greater accuracy of conventional radiography in canals with curvature <25[o] and the greater accuracy of digital radiography in canals with curvature >25[o], the differences were not statistically significant. Both conventional radiographs and DDR can be used to determine working length during endodontic therapy