Francesc Abella

European Society of Endodontology position statement: The use of CBCT in Endodontics

This Position Statement represents a consensus of an expert committee convened by the European Society of Endodontology (ESE) on the use of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). The statement is based on the current scientific evidence, and provides the clinician with evidence-based criteria on when to use CBCT in Endodontics. Given the dynamic and changing nature of research, development of new devices and clinical practice relating to CBCT, this Position Statement will be updated within 3 years, or before that time should new evidence become available.

Cone beam computed tomography in Endodontics - a review

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) produces undistorted three-dimensional information of the maxillofacial skeleton, including the teeth and their surrounding tissues with a lower effective radiation dose than computed tomography. The aim of this paper is to: (i) review the current literature on the applications and limitations of CBCT; (ii) make recommendations for the use of CBCT in Endodontics; (iii) highlight areas of further research of CBCT in Endodontics.

Evaluating the Periapical Status of Teeth with Irreversible Pulpitis by Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography Scanning and Periapical Radiographs

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) on individual roots of teeth with irreversible pulpitis viewed with periapical (PA) radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. METHODS PA radiographs and CBCT scans were taken of 138 teeth in 130 patients diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis (symptomatic and asymptomatic). Two calibrated examiners assessed the presence or absence of AP lesions by analyzing the PA and CBCT images. A consensus was reached in the event of any disagreement. The data were analyzed using the hypothesis test, and significance was set at P ≤ .05. RESULTS Three hundred seven paired roots were assessed with both PA and CBCT images. A comparison of the 307 paired roots revealed that AP lesions were present in 10 (3.3%) and absent in 297 (96.7%) pairs of roots when assessed with PA radiography. When the same 307 sets of roots were assessed with CBCT scans, AP lesions were present in 42 (13.7%) and absent in 265 (86.3%) paired roots. The prevalence of AP lesions detected with CBCT was significantly higher in the symptomatic group compared with the asymptomatic group (P < .05). An additional 22 roots were identified with CBCT alone. CONCLUSIONS The present study highlights the advantages of using CBCT for detecting AP lesions, especially in teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis.

An evaluation of the periapical status of teeth with necrotic pulps using periapical radiography and cone-beam computed tomography

AIM To evaluate the presence or absence of periapical (PA) radiolucencies on individual roots of teeth with necrotic pulps, as assessed with digital PA radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODOLOGY Digital PA radiographs and CBCT scans were taken from 161 endodontically untreated teeth (from 155 patients) diagnosed with non-vital pulps (pulp necrosis with normal PA tissue, symptomatic apical periodontitis, asymptomatic apical periodontitis, acute apical abscess and chronic apical abscess). Images were assessed by two calibrated endodontists to analyse the radiographic PA status of the teeth. A consensus was reached in the event of any disagreement. The data were analysed using a McNemars test, and significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS Three hundred and forty paired images of roots were assessed with both digital PA radiographs and CBCT images. Fifteen additional roots were identified with CBCT. PA radiolucencies were present in 132 (38.8%) roots when assessed with PA radiographs, and in 196 (57.6%) roots when assessed with CBCT. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In teeth diagnosed with pulp necrosis, symptomatic apical periodontitis or acute apical abscess, CBCT images revealed a statistically larger number of PA radiolucencies than did PA radiographs (P < 0.05). No statistical differences were observed between PA radiographs and CBCT in teeth classified with asymptomatic apical periodontitis (P = 0.31) or chronic apical abscess (P = 1). CONCLUSIONS Unlike PA radiographs, CBCT revealed a higher prevalence of PA radiolucencies when endodontically untreated teeth with non-vital pulps were examined.

Managing severe curvature of radix entomolaris: three-dimensional analysis with cone beam computed tomography.

AIM To present a case of a mandibular first molar with an additional distolingual root [radix entomolaris (RE)] and to discuss the use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for its identification and management during root canal treatment. SUMMARY A 52-year-old Caucasian woman was referred for root canal treatment of the right mandibular first molar (tooth 46). After clinical and radiographic examination, a symptomatic irreversible pulpitis was diagnosed. Three periapical radiographs with different horizontal angulations revealed the presence of an additional distolingual root. This extra root, termed RE, has an incidence of <5% in the Caucasian population. A CBCT examination was also taken, which revealed a severe root canal curvature, especially in the middle third, of this supernumerary root. CBCT provided more accurate information in terms of RE inclination and root canal curvature before commencing root canal treatment. The conventional access opening was modified into a more trapezoidal cavity, and five root canals were found. All canals were instrumented with new nickel-titanium (NiTi) files to reduce the risk of fractured instruments. After preparation, the root canals were filled using thermoplastified techniques. The 1-year follow-up periapical radiographs and CBCT images revealed a continuous periodontal space with no signs of apical periodontitis. KEY LEARNING POINTS • Cone beam computed tomography imaging is useful in identifying the root canal system and the surrounding structures. • An accurate detection of supernumerary roots, such as RE, can avoid complications during and after root canal treatment. • The analysis of root canal curvature is important because instrument fracture has been linked to angle and radius of curvature. • The use of new instruments can reduce the incidence of instrument fracture.

Mandibular first molars with disto-lingual roots: review and clinical management.

The purpose of this review was (i) to conduct a literature review on the prevalence and morphologic classification of mandibular first molars with disto-lingual (DL) roots, and (ii) to discuss the clinical approach to diagnosis and root canal treatment of these teeth. A search was carried out on electronic (MEDLINE, PubMed and Cochrane) and hand databases, which covered all publications from 1970 to December 2011. Two reviewers independently assessed the studies and recorded type of study, origin and sample sizes, number of teeth with three roots and type of root canal configuration. Forty-five studies were identified with a total of 19,056 mandibular first molar teeth. The frequency of DL roots was 14.4% and was associated with certain ethnic populations. The most common canal configuration of mesial and distal roots was Vertucci types IV and I, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the prevalence of DL roots according to gender. Variable results related to side were observed as well as a trend in bilateral occurrence. The root length of the DL roots was in general shorter than that of the disto-buccal roots (DB). Most DL roots had a greater angle of curvature and a smaller radius of curvature in a bucco-lingual orientation. The best methods to identify DL roots are a 25° mesial parallax periapical radiograph or cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A trapezoidal shape access cavity is desirable to locate the orifice of the DL canal. Clinicians should be aware of the variable furcation levels during coronal pre-flaring or post-space preparation to avoid furcal/strip perforations and a weakening of DL roots.

Cone-beam Computed Tomography Analysis of the Root Canal Morphology of Maxillary First and Second Premolars in a Spanish Population

INTRODUCTION We investigated the root canal configuration of maxillary premolars in a Spanish population by using cone-beam computed tomography. METHODS Images of 804 maxillary first and second premolars were obtained from 620 patients who underwent cone-beam computed tomography scanning during preoperative assessment (before implant surgery, orthodontic treatment, dentoalveolar trauma diagnosis, or difficult root canal treatment). We determined tooth position, number of roots, root canal configuration (Vertuccis classification), number of root canals, and number of apical foramina per root and used the χ(2) test to analyze the correlation between root number and tooth position. RESULTS In the maxillary first premolar group (n = 430), 46% (n = 198) had 1 root, 51.4% (n = 221) had 2 roots, and 2.6% (n = 11) had 3 roots. Most exhibited a type IV canal configuration (n = 227, 52.8%). Single-rooted teeth had a more variable canal configuration, whereas most 2-rooted teeth showed a type IV configuration (n = 215, 97.3%). In the maxillary second premolar group (n = 374), 82.9% (n = 310) had 1 root, 15.5% (n = 58) had 2 roots, and 1.6% (n = 6) had 3 roots. The majority of single-rooted second premolars exhibited a type I configuration (n = 147, 47.2%). Overall, type VIII canals were only observed in 3-rooted teeth. No statistical correlation was evident between root number and gender and tooth position. CONCLUSIONS There was a high frequency of 2-rooted and single-rooted teeth among maxillary first and second premolars, respectively. The canal morphology of single-rooted teeth was highly variable.

Influence of preoperative pain intensity on postoperative pain after root canal treatment: A prospective clinical study

OBJECTIVES The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the correlation between the intensity of preoperative pain and the presence of postoperative pain, taking into account the variables sex, tooth type, arch, and tooth vitality. METHODS Two hundred and seventy patients with pulpal pathology who were scheduled for routine endodontic treatment were enrolled in this study. Conventional endodontic treatment was carried out in a single visit. The chemomechanical preparation of root canals was performed with ProTaper instruments, and canals were obturated with a warm gutta-percha obturation technique. A structured questionnaire was used to record data on sex, age, type of tooth, location and pulp diagnosis. Patients were asked to record their preoperative and postoperative pain using a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS). Postoperative pain and the need for analgesic consumption were assessed at 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72h post-treatment. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U and chi-square test, and the significance was set at P<.05. RESULTS The mean level of pain after root canal treatment was 2.58±2.80 on a VAS between 0 and 10. Variables that were associated with a higher preoperative pain intensity (female, mandible and molar) also had a higher value of postoperative pain (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the presence of preoperative pain is the variable that most influences the prevalence of postoperative pain. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Pain management should be an integral part of dental treatment. The present study analyses the incidence of postoperative pain that should be expected by patients with different intensity of pain before root canal treatment.

Applications of Piezoelectric Surgery in Endodontic Surgery: A Literature Review

INTRODUCTION Piezosurgery (piezoelectric bone surgery) devices were developed to cut bone atraumatically using ultrasonic vibrations and to provide an alternative to the mechanical and electrical instruments used in conventional oral surgery. Indications for piezosurgery are increasing in oral and maxillofacial surgery, as in other disciplines, such as endodontic surgery. Key features of piezosurgery instruments include their ability to selectively cut bone without damaging adjacent soft tissue, to provide a clear operative field, and to cut without generating heat. Although piezosurgery instruments can be used at most stages of endodontic surgery (osteotomy, root-end resection, and root-end preparation), no published data are available on the effect of piezosurgery on the outcomes of endodontic surgery. To our knowledge, no study has evaluated the effect of piezosurgery on root-end resection, and only 1 has investigated root-end morphology after retrograde cavity preparation using piezosurgery. METHODS We conducted a search of the PubMed and Cochrane databases using appropriate terms and keywords related to the use and applications of piezoelectric surgery in endodontic surgery. A hand search also was conducted of issues published in the preceding 2 years of several journals. Two independent reviewers obtained and analyzed the full texts of the selected articles. RESULTS A total of 121 articles published between January 2000 and December 2013 were identified. This review summarizes the operating principles of piezoelectric devices and outlines the applications of piezosurgery in endodontic surgery using clinical examples. CONCLUSIONS Piezosurgery is a promising technical modality with applications in several aspects of endodontic surgery, but further studies are necessary to determine the influence of piezosurgery on root-end resection and root-end preparation.

Influence of Cone-beam Computed Tomography in Clinical Decision Making among Specialists

Introduction: Clinical information and diagnostic imaging are essential components of preoperative diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of cone‐beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging on clinical decision‐making choices among different specialists (prosthodontists, endodontists, oral surgeons, and periodontists) in endodontic treatment planning. A secondary objective was to assess the self‐reported level of difficulty in making a treatment choice before and after viewing a preoperative CBCT scan. Methods: In accordance with the endodontic case difficulty guidelines of the American Association of Endodontists, 30 endodontic cases with varying degrees of complexity were selected. Each case included clinical photographs, digital periapical radiographs, and a small‐volume CBCT scan. In the first evaluation, examiners were given all the information of each case, except the CBCT scan. Examiners were asked to select one of the proposed treatment alternatives and assess the difficulty of making a decision. One month later, the examiners reviewed randomly the same 30 cases with the additional information from the CBCT data. Results: The CBCT scans only had a significant influence on the treatment plan when the endodontic case was classified as high difficulty (P < .05). The level of difficulty in choosing a treatment choice was significantly more difficult after viewing a preoperative CBCT scan (P < .05), with the exception of the endodontists (P = .033). After viewing the CBCT scan, the extraction option increased significantly (P < .05). Conclusions: CBCT imaging has a substantial impact on endodontic decision making among specialists, particularly in high difficulty cases.