Quality of Root Canal Treatment using Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Centre, Khartoum State: A Retrospective study 2016

Abstract

Introduction: Successful management of endodontic problems is reliant on diagnostic imaging techniques to provide critical information about the teeth. Development of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has highlighted the inadequacies of conventional radiography. Previous studies assessed the quality of root canal fillings by conventional radiography, however, no studies have yet assessed the quality of root canal fillings and post endodontic coronal restoration using CBCT in Sudanese population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of root canal treated teeth using CBCT. Methodology: All images were recorded using CBCT (ProMax® 3D Max). Axial, cross‑sectional, and sagittal views were examined to evaluate the quality of the root canal treatment (RCT) and identify the mishaps as well as evaluate the endodontic restoration quality Results: The most commonly missed canal was the MB 2 (50%). Underfilling and overfilling resulted in a high significant difference when associated with periapical radiolucency. Root canals with fractured instruments were observed mainly in the MB canal .The prevalence of perforation occurred in 71% of cases in the chamber of the tooth. Middle third perforations were highest (50%) in root perforations. The tooth most affected with perforations was the lower first molar. Crowns were the most common restoration. Post space preparation; the highest frequency of root dentine removal was one third of the root with a post: crown ratio of 1:2 in 81.3% of cases. Conclusion: The technical quality of root canal fillings and the quality of the post endodontic coronal restorations in Sudan were poor.