title: Narrowing of the radicular pulp space in coronally restored teeth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Narrowed radicular pulp spaces are frequently observed in teeth wearing extended restorations. The present study investigates whether the narrowing of particularly the radicular pulp space can be attributed to coronal restorations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study is based on an anonymized copy of the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) database from the Center of Dental Medicine of the University of Zurich. One hundred CBCT scans were selected out of 7317 data sets to match either a crowned (group A; n = 50) or a filled tooth (group B; n = 50) with a contralateral healthy, unrestored, and caries-free control tooth at the same position, respectively. Cross-sectional images were adjusted in the coronal, middle, and apical root third of each subjected tooth. Screenshots were taken in that position and analyzed. The area occupied by the pulp space was determined as percentage area of the whole root diameter on each cross section. The resulting values were compared between restored and control teeth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both groups (crowned and filled teeth) and in all the three root thirds, the radicular pulp space was significantly narrower in the restored teeth compared to the control teeth. The strongest narrowing effect was observed in the coronal root third and it decreased towards the apical root third (both groups).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Teeth with coronal restorations show within the limitations of the present study a significant narrowing of their radicular pulp space.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The asserted narrowing could have a complicating effect if root canal treatment becomes necessary in those teeth.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology, and Cariology, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Plattenstrasse 11, CH-8032, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Senta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fleig
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology, and Cariology, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Plattenstrasse 11, CH-8032, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Attin
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Operative and Preventive Dentistry, Center of Dento-Maxillo-Facial Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn, Welschnonnenstrasse 17, 53111, Bonn, Germany. holger.jungbluth@uni-bonn.de.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4836-5936
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jungbluth
mesh_terms: D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003442:Crowns; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D006801:Humans; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012984:Software; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Dental pulp calcification; Pulp canal; Pulp stone; Pulpal obliteration; Root canal; Secondary dentine