Diagnostic value of cone beam computed tomography for root canal morphology assessment – a micro-CT based comparison

The aim of this study was to assess cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) as a root canal anatomy diagnostic tool by comparison with micro-CT gold-standard.

216 two-rooted mandibular molars were first scanned in a CBCT device (200 μm voxel size) and posteriorly in a micro-CT scanner (19.61 μm). The volumes were sequentially screened to classify main root canal anatomy according to Vertucci classification, and for the presence of lateral canals and apical deltas, in both mesial and distal roots.

Both methods revealed a higher prevalence of Vertucci Type II and IV in the mesial root, and Vertucci Type I in the distal root. The percentage of agreement for main root canal anatomy classification between CBCT and micro-CT scores was high (85.2%).

Sensibility to detect both lateral canals and apical deltas with CBCT was low. These results attest to the fact that minor anatomical changes might be difficult to identify with CBCT imaging, hampering its diagnostic value.