• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.205-211
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the accuracy of micro-computed tomography (CT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting accessory canals in primary molars. Materials and Methods: Forty-one extracted human primary first and second molars were embedded in wax blocks and scanned using micro-CT and CBCT. After the images were taken, the samples were processed using a clearing technique and examined under a stereomicroscope in order to establish the gold standard for this study. The specimens were classified into three groups: maxillary molars, mandibular molars with three canals, and mandibular molars with four canals. Differences between the gold standard and the observations made using the imaging methods were calculated using Spearman's rho correlation coefficient test. Results: The presence of accessory canals in micro-CT images of maxillary and mandibular root canals showed a statistically significant correlation with the stereomicroscopic images used as a gold standard. No statistically significant correlation was found between the CBCT findings and the stereomicroscopic images. Conclusion: Although micro-CT is not suitable for clinical use, it provides more detailed information about minor anatomical structures. However, CBCT is convenient for clinical use but may not be capable of adequately analyzing the internal anatomy of primary teeth.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.447-452
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• 1999

The role of bacteria in root canals and periapical infections is well known and established. In these bacteria, black-pigmented bacteria(BPH) play important role in endodontic infection. BPB are Gram negative anaerobic rods which are closely related 50 clinical symptoms such as pain, percussion, tenderness, foul odor, etc. In America and Europe, many studies on BPB have been done and are continued. But, relatively few studies have been done in Korea, especially its prevalence in Korean population is not yet studied. The purpose of this study is to establish prevalence of BPB in infected root canals and periapical abscesses in Korean people. Microbial samples were collected from the root canals of 34 intact tooth with periapical rarefactions of endodontic origin and 3 periapical abscesses. All samples were incubated in an anaerobic chamber(Coy, Model No. 77. Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.). Identification of In microorganism was based on its growth in the anaerobic chamber, colonial pigmentation, colonial morphology, Gram stain, and Rapid ID32A(BioMericux SA/69280 Marcy-l'Etoile/France) results. In addition, the polyme ase chain reaction using specific primers for 16S rRNA genes were used differentiate Prevotella nigrescens for Prevotella intermedia. The results were as follows : 1. In this study, thirteen (35%) of thirty seven samples were positive for the growth of BPB. In thirteen samples, sixteen strains of BPR were found. 2. The most frequently identified BPB in root canals and abscesses in Korean were P. nigrescens 5/37(14%) and P. intermedia 5/37(14%). Porphyromonas gingivalis 3/37(8%), Porphyromonas endodontalis 2/37(5%) and Prevotella loecheii 1/37(3%) were also found. 3. In this study, no significant differences were found between the prevalence of BPB in Korean and that of American and European.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.659-669
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• 1997

The goals of root canal instrumentation are complete debridement of pulp tissue, removal of microbes and affected dentin, and proper cleaning and shaping of the root canal space before obturation. Instrumentation with stainless steel files has been shown to produce undesirable results in canals, regardless of the improved technique or modified file type used. Nickel-Titanium(Ni-Ti) alloy has been shown to be exceptionally elastic, having a lower bending moment and lower permanent set after torsion, compared with similar gauge stainless steel. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of root canal prepared by Ni-Ti rotary and stainless steel instruments. Thirty-four single rooted teeth of similar shape and canal size were divided into three groups. The teeth were scanned by computed tomography before instrumentation. In group 1, canals were instrumented using a step-back technique with K-file. In group 2, canals were prepared with K-flex file using the same technique as group 1. Group 3 was prepared with nickel-titanium(Ni-Ti) rotary instrument using a manufacture's instruction. Instrumented teeth were again scanned using computed tomography, and reformated images of the uninstrumented canals were compared with images of the instrumented canals. K-flex file and Ni-Ti file caused significantly less canal transportation than K-file in the 8mm root canal section from the apex(p<0.05). K-flex file and Ni-Ti file produced more centered canal preparation than K-file in the 2mm section(p<0.05). Ni-Ti file maintained more precisely the center of the canal than K-flex file in the 10mm section (p<0.05). There was no difference in the removed volume of canals among each groups.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.671-684
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to compare the apical sealing ability, overfilling and obturation of lateral canals using two gutta-percha techniques: Thermafil obturators and cold lateral condensation. Eighty numbered epoxide blocks with one major and five lateral canals were divided into four experimental groups and obturated according to experimental groups. Four experimental groups were as follows: Group 1 : Filling with Thermafil plastic obturators and sealer(ThermaSeal) Group 2 : Filling with Thermafil plastic obturators only, without sealer(ThermaSeal) Group 3 : Fillng using lateral condensation with sealer(AH-26) Group 4 : Fillng using lateral condensation without sealer(AH-26) All the blocks were stored in 100% relative humidor at room temperature for 7 days. Each block was placed in centrifuge tube filled with India ink, and then centrifuged for 20 minutes at 3,000 rpm. Apical leakage was measured from the apical foramen to the most coronal level of dye penetration in millimeter under a stereoscope. The length of gutta-percha and sealer in each of the lateral canals was measured, too. The presence or absence of overfilling of gutta-percha and sealer was recorded. The data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA. The obtained results were as follows: l. Apical dye leakage was almost: not occurred in Group Willed with Thermafil and sealer) and Group 3(filled using lateral condensation with sealer), and there was no significant difference in linear leakage between two groups(p>0.01). 2. In both Thermafil and lateral condensation groups, linear leakage of Group I, 3(filled with sealer) was less than that of Group 2, 4(filled without sealer), and there was no significant difference in linear leakage between Group 1, 2, 3(p> 0.01). 3. Overfilling during obturation of Group 1, 2(filled with Thermafil) was more than Group 3, 4(filled using lateral condensation), and there was no significant difference between groups(p> 0.05). 4. Groups filled with Thermafil had significantly more gutta-percha than groups filled using lateral condensation in all lateral canals(p <0.01), the total length of gutta-percha and sealer found in all lateral canals were similar in Group 1 and Group 3.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.141-152
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• 1992

Four endodontic instruments from different manufacturers(K - file, Hedstrom - file, K - flex - file, Cavi - Endo) were used to shape 80 mesial canals of extracted posterior teeth. The instrument's ability to enlarge and shape the canals as the original canal shape was assessed by superimposing radiographs of canals obtained before and after canal shaping. The results were as follows 1. Hedstrom - file enlarged canals greater than K - file, K - flex - file, and Cavi - Endo(P<0.05). There are no differences in canal enlargement among K - flex, K - flex - file, and Cavi - Endo(P<0.05). 2. All the instruments showed no difference in canal enlargement between convex side and concave side of B point in proximal and clinical radiographic views, but at the concave side of C point canals were enlarged greater than at the convex side(proximal view of K - file: P<0.05, the others: P<0.01). 3. There was no difference m canal enlargement between convex side and concave side in proximal view of A and D points of K - file and K - flex - file(P<0.05). But in clinical view, canal enlargement at convex side of A point and concave side of D point was greater than that at concave side of A point and convex side of D point respectively. 4. Hedstrom - files showed greater canal enlargement at convex side of A points and concave side of D points (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Cavi - Endo showed no difference in canal enlargement between convex side and concave side at A and D points in proximal view(P<0.05). Bur canal enlargement was greater at concave side than at convex side of D point in clinical view. 5. K - file and Cavi - Endo showed no differences in canal enlargement between convex and concave side in proximal and clinical view (P<0.05). K - flex - file showed greater canal enlargement at concave side in proximal and clinical view(P<0.0:5). Hedstrom file showed no difference in canal enlargement between convex side and concave side in proximal view, but showed greater canal enlargement at concave side in clinical view(P<0.05).

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.391-400
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• 1998

The aim of this study was to determine the shaping ability of stainless-steel K file (S-S K file), nickel-titanium K file (Ni-Ti K file) and engine driven nickel-titanium file (Quantec file) in resin simulated root canal. Computed tomography was used to evaluate the change of the root canal morphology. Thirty nine resin simulated root canal were divided into four groups (A:12, B:12, C:12, D:3). Resin simulated canals were scanned by computed tomography before instrumentation (1st C-T scan). Canals were instrumented using step back preparation technique with S-S K file in group A and Ni-Ti K file in group B. Group C was prepared with engine driven Ni-Ti file. Group D was uninstrumented to compare the 1st C-T scan images with 2nd C-T scan images of root canal. Instrumented canals were again scanned using computed tomography (2nd C-T scan), and reformated images of the uninstrumented canals were compared with images of the instrumented canals. In the sections of 2mm and 6mm from the apex, Quantec file caused significantly less canal transportation than S-S K file and Ni-Ti K file (p<0.05). Quantec file produced more centered than S-S K file and Ni-Ti K file in the sections of 2mm and 4mm from the apex (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the removed volume of canals among the each groups (p>0.05). However the removed canal volume from the apex to 5mm were significantly higher than them from 5mm to 1mm (p<0.05) in each groups. Under the conditions of this study, preparation with Quantec file was more effective and produce more appropriate canal shapes than S-S K file and Ni-Ti K file.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.346-349
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• 2009

Mandibular second molars have many variations in canal configuration. Technical modifications in cleaning, shaping and obturation are required. The purpose of this study was to investigate the root canal anatomy of mandibular second molars. 86 teeth of 85 patients were accessed and evaluated with taking radiographs for working length determination. 27 teeth(31.4%) had C-shaped canals, 43 teeth(50%) had 3 canals, 11 teeth(12.7%) had 4 canals, 5 teeth(5.8%) had 2 canals. Incidence of C-shaped canal was 31.7% in male and 31.1% in female. 30.9% of left mandibular second molar and 31.8% of right mandibular second molar showed C-shaped canals.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.19.1-19.9
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cyclic fatigue, bending resistance, and surface roughness of EdgeEvolve (EdgeEndo) and ProTaper Gold (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties) nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary files. Materials and Methods: The instruments (n = 15/each) were tested for cyclic fatigue in single- ($60^{\circ}$ curvature, 5-mm radius) and double-curved (coronal curvature $60^{\circ}$, 5-mm radius, and apical curvature of $30^{\circ}$ and 2-mm radius) artificial canals. The number of cycles to fracture was calculated. The bending resistance of both files were tested using a universal testing machine where the files were bent until reach $45^{\circ}$. Scanning electron microscopy and x-ray energy-dispersive spectrometric analysis were used for imaging the fractured segments, while the atomic force microscope was used to quantify the surface roughness average (Ra). Results: EdgeEvolve files exhibited higher cyclic fatigue resistance than ProTaper Gold files in single- and double-curved canals (p < 0.05) and both files were more resistant to cyclic fatigue in single-curved canals than double-curved canals (p < 0.05). EdgeEvolve files exhibited significantly more flexibility than did ProTaper Gold files (p < 0.05). Both files had approximately similar Ni and Ti contents (p > 0.05). EdgeEvolve files showed significantly lower Ra values than ProTaper Gold files (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Within the limitation of this study, EdgeEvolve files exhibited significantly higher cyclic fatigue resistance than ProTaper Gold files in both single- and double-curved canals.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.56.1-56.11
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• 2021

Objectives: This study evaluated 2 nickel-titanium rotary systems and a complementary protocol with an ultrasonic tip and a small-diameter instrument in flattened root canals. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two human maxillary second premolars with flattened canals (buccolingual diameter ≥4 times larger than the mesiodistal diameter) at 9 mm from the radiographic apex were selected. The root canals were prepared by ProDesign Logic (PDL) 30/0.01 and 30/0.05 or Hyflex EDM (HEDM) 10/0.05 and 25/0.08 (n = 16), followed by application of the Flatsonic ultrasonic tip in the cervical and middle thirds and a PDL 25/0.03 file in the apical third (FPDL). The teeth were scanned using micro-computed tomography before and after the procedures. The percentage of volume increase, debris, and uninstrumented surface area were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn, Wilcoxon, analysis of variance/Tukey, and paired and unpaired t-tests (α = 0.05). Results: No significant difference was found in the volume increase and uninstrumented surface area between PDL and HEDM (p > 0.05). PDL had a higher percentage of debris than HEDM in the middle and apical thirds (p < 0.05). The FPDL protocol resulted in less debris and uninstrumented surface area for PDL and HEDM (p < 0.05). This protocol, with HEDM, reduced debris in the middle and apical thirds and uninstrumented surface area in the apical third (p < 0.05). Conclusions: High percentages of debris and uninstrumented surface area were observed after preparation of flattened root canals. The HEDM, Flatsonic tip, and 25/0.03 instrument protocol enhanced cleaning in flattened root canals.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.823-829
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• 2019

Objective: To summarize the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) features of duplicated internal auditory canals (DIACs). Materials and Methods: Ear HRCT data of 64813 patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), obtained between August 2009 and November 2017, were reviewed. Among these patients, 12 (13 ears) were found to have DIACs, 9 of whom underwent HRMRI. Their images were evaluated by two otoradiologists. Results: The rate of occurrence of DIAC among SNHL patients was 0.019% (12/64813). The internal auditory canals of 13 ears were divided into double canals by complete (n = 6) and incomplete (n = 7) bony septa, with varied orientations ranging from horizontal to approximately vertical. All of the anterosuperior canals extended into the facial nerve (FN) canal, except for 1, which also extended to the vestibule. The posteroinferior canals ended in the cochlea and vestibule, except for 2, which also connected to the FN canals. Magnetic resonance images revealed that 77.8% (7/9) and 22.2% (2/9) of vestibulocochlear nerves (VCNs) were aplastic and hypoplastic, respectively. Furthermore, 88.9% (8/9) of FNs were normal, except for 1, which was hypoplastic. All of the affected ears also had other ear anomalies: a narrow, bony cochlear nerve canal was the most common other anomaly, accounting for 92.3% (12/13). Malformations of other systems were not found. Conclusion: Double-canal appearance is a characteristic finding of DIAC on HRCT, and it is usually accompanied by other ear anomalies. The VCN usually appears aplastic, with a normal FN, on HRMRI.