In vitro incidence of root canal bifurcation in mandibular incisors by radiovisiography.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to verify, in vivo and in vitro, the prevalence of root canal bifurcation in mandibular incisors by digital radiography.


METHODS
Four hundred teeth were analyzed for the in vivo study. Digital radiographs were taken in an orthoradial direction from the mandibular incisor and canine regions. The digital radiographs of the canine region allowed visualizing the incisors in a distoradial direction using 20 masculine deviation. All individuals agreed to participate by signing an informed consent form. The in vitro study was conducted on 200 mandibular incisors positioned on a model, simulating the mandibular dental arch. Digital radiographs were taken from the mandibular incisors in both buccolingual and mesiodistal directions.


RESULTS
The digital radiography showed presence of bifurcation in 20% of teeth evaluated in vitro in the mesiodistal direction. In the buccolingual direction, 17.5% of teeth evaluated in vivo and 15% evaluated in vitro presented bifurcation or characteristics indicating bifurcation.


CONCLUSIONS
Digital radiography associated with X-ray beam distally allowed detection of a larger number of cases of bifurcated root canals or characteristics of bifurcation.
de Oliveira
Simone Helena Gonçalves
SH
Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Discipline of Anatomy, Dental School of São José dos Campos, São Paulo State University, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil.
de Moraes
Luiz César
LC
Faig-Leite
Horácio
H
Camargo
Samira Esteves Afonso
SE
Camargo
Carlos Henrique Ribeiro
CH
D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008334:Mandible; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*