Advanced Imaging Techniques in Endodontology: A Review

Variations in the external morphologic features of the crowns of the teeth accord with variations in the shape and size of the head. The length of the crown varies with the size and sex of the person and is generally shorter in females than in males. As the external morphology varies from person to person, so does the internal morphology of the crown and root. Anatomical variability of the teeth is often a complicating factoring root canal treatment and many different methods have been used to investigate the tooth morphology. Every root canal has its own individual form, therefore guidelines are required in both endodontic practice and for the purpose of research. The currently accepted concepts of root canal treatment require knowledge of root canal length. The success of endodontic treatment depends on the identification of teeth requiring treatment and then the recognition of the root canal system, so that it can be cleaned, shaped and obturated. False assumptions about the root canal anatomy of the teeth may lead to misdiagnosis, missed canals, improper debridement and breakage of instruments during root canal treatment. However, in order to achieve this, it is imperative that the operator should have detailed knowledge of the root canal anatomy of the tooth being treated. This review article emphasizes on the various techniques used in endodontics for studying the root canal morphology.