title: An analytical Micro CT methodology for quantifying inorganic dentine debris following internal tooth preparation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  MicroCT allows the complex canal network of teeth to be mapped but does not readily distinguish between structural tissue (dentine) and the debris generated during cleaning. The aim was to introduce a validated approach for identifying debris following routine instrumentation and disinfection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The mesial canals of 12 mandibular molars were instrumented, and irrigated with EDTA and NaOCl. MicroCT images before and after instrumentation and images were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Debris in the canal space was identified through morphological image analysis and superimposition of the images before and after instrumentation. This revealed that the removal of debris is prohibited by protrusions and micro-canals within the tooth creating areas which are inaccessible to the irrigant. Although the results arising from the analytical methodology did provide measurements of debris produced, biological differences in the canals resulted in variances. Both irrigants reduced debris compared to the control which decreased with EDTA and further with NaOCl. However, anatomical variation did not allow definitive conclusions on which irrigant was best to use although both reduced debris build up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This work presents a new approach for distinguishing between debris and structural inorganic tissue in root canals of teeth. The application may prove useful in other calcified tissue shape determination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Remaining debris may contain bacteria and obstruct the flow of irrigating solutions into lateral canal anatomy. This new approach for detecting the amount of remaining debris in canal systems following instrumentation provides a clearer methodology of the identification of such debris.
authors.affiliation: Physical Sciences of Imaging in the Biomedical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. J.P.Robinson@pgr.bham.ac.uk
authors.forename: Jonathan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lumley
authors.forename: Ela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Claridge
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Liam M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Grover
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: A Damien
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Walmsley
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002614:Chelating Agents; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000737:chemistry*; D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry; D004492:Edetic Acid; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D018915:Root Canal Preparation; D016369:Smear Layer; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D004492:Edetic Acid; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite