Predictability of radiographic diagnosis of variations in root canal anatomy in mandibular incisor and premolar teeth.
Four hundred and fifty-five extracted mandibular incisor and 340 extracted mandibular premolar teeth were radiographed to assess the incidence of twin canals as visualized on radiographs taken in the mesio-distal direction. The ability to detect the presence of these twin canals by viewing radiographs taken in the standard bucco-lingual direction was then assessed. Using the guideline that 'disappearance or narrowing infers division' when viewing these radiographs resulted in a failure to diagnose one-third of the twin canals.
Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Leeds, UK.
B R
BR
Nattress
D M
DM
Martin
D001641:Bicuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*