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Three-Dimensional Evaluation of Internal Tooth Anatomy

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3D Imaging in Endodontics

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Abstract

The study of human tooth anatomy is fundamental to clinical endodontics. Several histologic methods used to evaluate tooth anatomy have been described for the purpose of identification and categorization of various root and root canal types. In addition, multiple publications have attempted to classify root and root canal configuration as it relates to tooth type, tooth location, root type, gender, geographic location, and ethnic background. For decades, two-dimensional radiography (captured at various angulations) has been the primary method for evaluating tooth anatomy before endodontic treatment. Attempting to assess multidimensional anatomy from planar imaging has significant limitations. Technological advancements in three-dimensional tomographic imaging have given rise to a more accurate method for the preoperative clinical evaluation of tooth anatomy. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides a non-destructive real-time capture of three-dimensional anatomic and morphologic information. A short acquisition time and a level of detail equivalent to that of in vitro tooth sectioning make CBCT imaging the first and currently only practical method available for the accurate, undistorted, chair-side evaluation of tooth anatomy in three spatial planes prior to initiating root canal treatment.

William J. Nudera: Author of NUENDO ReThinking Endodontics, A Systematic Approach to Diagnosis and Case Selection, Published by EDRA

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endodontics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    William J. Nudera

  2. Private Practice, Specailized Endodontic Solutions, Bloomingdale, IL, USA

    William J. Nudera

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  1. William J. Nudera
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endodontics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Mohamed I. Fayad

  2. Department of Endodontics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Bradford R. Johnson

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Nudera, W.J. (2023). Three-Dimensional Evaluation of Internal Tooth Anatomy. In: Fayad, M.I., Johnson, B.R. (eds) 3D Imaging in Endodontics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32755-1_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32755-1_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-32754-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-32755-1

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