Influence of voxel size on micro-CT analysis of debris after root canal preparation

Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) voxel size on the evaluation of debris accumulation after passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) in curved root canals prepared with rotary nickel-titanium files. Mesial root canals (n = 24) of mandibular molars with curvature between 25 ° and 35° were prepared using ProDesign Logic 30/.05 (PDL) or HyFlex EDM 25/.08 (HEDM). PUI was performed after root canal preparation of all root canals. The specimens were scanned using high-resolution (5 μ m voxel size) micro-CT imaging before and after experimental procedures. The percentage of debris was analyzed in the middle and apical thirds using images with 5, 10 and 20 μ m voxel sizes. Data were compared using unpaired and paired Student's t-test, ANOVA and Tukey's statistical tests ( α = 0.05). There were no differences among the debris analyses performed at different voxel sizes (5, 10 and 20 μ m) (p> 0.05). The percentage of debris was similar between the root canals prepared by PDL and HEDM before and after PUI (p> 0.05). In both groups, the percentage of debris decreased in the middle third after PUI (p< 0.05). Within the limitations of this ex vivo study, it can be concluded that the voxel sizes evaluated did not have a significant impact on the analysis of accumulated debris. However, the results showed a tendency for detection of more debris in the analysis performed using a lower voxel size. PUI decreased the de...
Source: Brazilian Oral Research - Category: Dentistry Source Type: research