Collecting and analysing micro-CT data at increasing resolutions and data sizes has become a standard in endodontic research. Nonetheless, despite being urgently needed, three- dimensional (3D) analyses and quantification approaches have lagged the data acquisition capacity. This goes far beyond the challenges of data visualization and segmentation, even with the use of AI, because morphological and topological analysis, which is already successfully applied in many other research areas, has not yet been adopted in endodontic research. Here we invoke computer-aided analysis for such assessment of root canal fillings to make use of high-resolution non-destructive imaging. We will focus on the rigorous evaluation of sealer interzone microgeometries with respect to root morphologies and possible correlations to root canal treatment (RCT) parameters and RCT X-ray measures of quality assurance. 

The DFG-funded research group "InterDent" aims to enhance collaboration between materials, computer, and dental sciences. Our goal is to reduce uncertainty about what defines a 'durable dental interzone' in RCT by obtaining high-resolution, standardized data and integrating insights from advanced computational methods.


(1) Dental x-ray of a treated tooth

 

Dental x-ray

 

Dental x-rays are commonly used in RCT for pre-operative planning and post-operative assessment, but their limited resolution hinders the detection and analysis of treatment defects, such as small gaps or voids in the sealer interzone, and they do not provide a 3D view of the root canal system.


(2) Micro-CT of a treated tooth

 

Micro-CT image

 

Micro-CT offers ultra-high-resolution imaging of the root canal system, clearly distinguishing different dental materials, making it ideal for 3D quantitative analysis of the relationship between sealer interzone irregularities and root canal morphology. However, the high resolution can present challenges in developing computational methods, such as automatic segmentation of the root canal system, including sealer and filler, as well as detection of treatment defects. These challenges can be addressed through computationally efficient algorithms.


(3) Root canal segmentation based on Micro-CT

Reliable morphological analysis of the root canal system depends on accurate segmentations of high-resolution dental imaging (e.g., micro-CT), where treatment defects are clearly visible (red: root canal, yellow: filler, green: sealer).


(4) Parameterization and morphological analysis

 

Parameterization of the sealer interzone and treatment defects within a unified coordinate system enables comparison across cases in a large dataset, allowing the general relationship between root canal morphology and treatment defects to be determined.


(5) Translation of knowledge from high-resolution micro-CT to x-rays in clinical routine

 

Even though ideal for morphological analysis, micro-CT is not suitable for use in clinical routine, due to its ex-vivo nature. Transferring the knowledge gained from 3D morphological analysis of the root canal system enabled by micro-CT to routine dental imaging, such as x-rays, is highly desirable.

 


Our partners:

Our partners