title: Confocal microscopy: a valid approach to evaluate the three-dimensional characteristics of root-end cavities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze, using confocal microscope, the three-dimensional characteristics of the root-end cavity preparations completed in root apices of extracted teeth determining their area, perimeter, circularity and cavo-surface angle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two single-rooted extracted teeth underwent endodontic treatment and apical resection. Root-end cavities were prepared according to 4 protocols, as follows: Group 1, stainless steel ultrasonic tips (SST) at 33 KHz power; Group 2, SST at 30 KHz power; Group 3, diamond-coated ultrasonic tips (DCT) at 30 KHz power; and Group 4, DCT at 33 KHz power. Finally, root-end cavity was evaluated using a confocal microscope, recording its area, perimeter, circularity and cavo-surface angle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The largest cavity perimeter was found in the Group 2 (4.8 ± 1.6 mm) (p > 0.05). Root-end cavities performed using SST showed larger areas than those performed with DCT (p = 0.03). The power of vibration or the tip type did not show correlation with the perimeter, circularity and cavo-surface angle of the root-end cavity (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Confocal microscopy is a useful approach to study the three-dimensional characteristics of the root-end cavity.
authors.affiliation: University of Seville, Faculty of Odontology, c/Avicena s/n. 41009-Sevilla, Spain. danieltl@us.es
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Torres-Lagares
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Martos
authors.forename: Lizett
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castellanos-Cosano
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yáñez-Vico
authors.forename: Juan-José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Segura-Egea
authors.forename: José-Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Pérez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000379:methods*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult