title: Cone beam computed tomography in mandibular molars referred for apical surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of the present study was to compare conventional intraoral periapical radiographs (PA) with limited cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for evaluation of mandibular molars prior to apical surgery. The apical extent and homogeneity of the root canal fillings (RCF) as well as the number of root canals were examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  38 molars with 75 roots were included in the study. The apical extent and homogeneity of the RCFs as well as the presence of root canal posts or screws were examined on sagittal CBCT slices and on the PAs. The number of root canals was determined on sagittal CBCT slices and the PAs. The mesial and the distal roots were examined separately.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Considerably more root canals were found on the CBCT slices compared to the PAs. The homogeneity and the extent of the RCFs as well as the presence of root canal posts or screws seem subjectively easier to determine on the PAs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In mandibular molars, because of the better discrimination of root canal anatomy we recommend a CBCT scan prior to apical surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery and Stomatology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. roland.lauber@zmk.unibe.ch
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lauber
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bornstein
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: von Arx
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000592:standards*; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000601:surgery*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014962:X-Ray Film