Endodontic working length measurement with preexisting cone-beam computed tomography scanning: a prospective, controlled clinical study.
BACKGROUND
The determination of root canal length is a significant outcome predictor for endodontic treatments. The aim of this prospective, controlled clinical study was to analyze endodontic working length measurements in preexisting cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and to compare them with clinical root canal length determination by using an electronic apex locator (EAL).


METHODS
All included patients had received a CBCT scan independent of the present study and needed root canal treatment of at least 1 anterior tooth visible in the field of view. Clinically, the root canal length was measured with an EAL by an endodontist. This measurement was compared with the root canal length as measured on vestibulo-oral and mesiodistal CBCT sections by an examiner not involved in the endodontic treatment. The CBCT measurements were repeated once for analysis of intrarater reliability.


RESULTS
Forty anterior teeth in 30 patients (13 women and 17 men; average age, 44 years; range, 18-80 years) were included in this investigation. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) comparing the root canal length measurements by using CBCT and EAL was 0.97. In addition, high intrarater reliability for the CBCT measurements was found (r = 0.99).


CONCLUSIONS
This prospective, controlled clinical study showed that limited CBCT scans can be used for endodontic working length measurements. Future studies are needed to evaluate whether preexisting CBCT scans could replace initial periapical radiographs and working length periapical radiographs.
Department of Preventive, Restorative and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. franziska.jeger@zmk.unibe.ch
Franziska B
FB
Jeger
Simone F M
SF
Janner
Michael M
MM
Bornstein
Adrian
A
Lussi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055615:Electrical Equipment and Supplies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009811:Odontometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult