title: Acquisition of anatomic parameters concerning molar pulp chamber landmarks using cone-beam computed tomography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging is a valuable tool for endodontic therapy. The aim of this study was to verify whether clinical use of CBCT imaging can accurately acquire parameters concerning molar pulp chamber landmarks, which are important data to help start a successful access cavity and avoid iatrogenic furcation perforations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy CBCT images were used to measure 118 maxillary and 104 mandibular molars. The following vertical distances were measured: from the cusp tip/central fossa to the pulp chamber floor, to the pulp chamber ceiling, and to furcation; from the pulp chamber ceiling to furcation; from the pulp chamber floor to furcation; and the pulp chamber height. Measurements were read to the nearest 0.05 mm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The measurements were as follows: the pulp chamber floor to furcation (maxillary molar: 1.97 ± 0.58 [mean ± standard deviation, mm], mandibular molar: 2.24 ± 0.47), the pulp chamber ceiling to furcation (maxillary molar: 4.09 ± 0.68, mandibular molar: 3.78 ± 0.70), the central fossa to furcation (maxillary molar: 8.78 ± 0.79, mandibular molar: 8.53 ± 0.65), the central fossa to the pulp chamber floor (maxillary molar: 6.81 ± 0.83, mandibular molar: 6.29 ± 0.65), the central fossa to the pulp chamber ceiling (maxillary molar: 4.69 ± 0.59, mandibular molar: 4.75 ± 0.56); and pulp chamber height (maxillary molar: 2.12 ± 0.81, mandibular molar: 1.53 ± 0.68). Measurements showing the least standard deviation were the central fossa to furcation and the central fossa to the pulp chamber floor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBCT imaging may be used for precise clinical acquisition of the pulp chamber landmark measurements for molars thereby facilitating successful access cavity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee. Electronic address: aazim@uthsc.edu.
authors.forename: Adham A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Azim
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Research, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Katharina A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Azim
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, College of Dentistry, Columbia University, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Allan S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Deutsch
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience Research, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.
authors.forename: George T-J
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods; D018915:Root Canal Preparation; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Access activity; access preparation; anatomy; cone-beam computed tomographic imaging; furcation; measurement; measurements; molars; pulp chamber