Accuracy of CBTC to Measure the Thickness' Dentin Walls

Post space preparation of endodontically treated teeth should be carefully done, preserving a great dentin thickness, and avoiding fractures and perforations. Objective: As periapical radiographs are not an appropriated method to measure dentin thickness, the goal of this study was to verify the accuracy of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in measuring the thickness of radicular dentin walls. Methods: Ten premolars were embedded in polystyrene acrylic resin and sections were made in two predetermined marks. Photographic images of the sections were taken and measured in Image J program, creating an anatomic thickness of the four walls of root dentin (buccal, lingual, mesial, distal). The tomographic images of the slices were taken with the iCAT system and measured with ImageJ and i-CAT view software. Results: The results were recorded and a variance analysis was used to compare the measures (ANOVA three-way), with the significance level set at 5%. There was no significant difference when comparing methods of measuring the root dentin thickness (p<0.05).  Conclusion: CBCT proved to be a reliable method to measure the radicular dentin thickness.