title: Micro-Computed Tomography Assessment of Apical Accessory Canal Morphologies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The morphologic features of accessory canals (ACs) were investigated by using micro-computed tomography technique with a centerline fitting algorithm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-three 3-mm-long apical root segments with unobstructed ACs were scanned by micro-computed tomography at 2.5-μm scanning resolution. After automatic segmentation, a centerline of the reconstructed lateral canal was developed, and the diameter, length, shape, and undulation of ACs were analyzed along the centerline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 178 unobstructed ACs identified, the median diameter was 67.0 μm, the average length was 786.6 μm, the predominant shape was oval, and the undulation was tortuous rather than straight.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diameter, length, shape, and undulation may vary among ACs in particular from the pulpal space to the external root surface, which may complicate the debridement of the ACs.
authors.affiliation: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, College of Dental Medicine, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Franklin R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Tay
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Science/Endodontics, Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, Texas.
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gutmann
authors.affiliation: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: b.fan@163.com.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Zhuo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional / Q000379:methods; D002681:China; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008334:Mandible; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Accessory canals; micro-CT; morphology; root apices