Cone-beam dental computerized tomography for evaluating changes of aging in the dimensions central superior incisor root canals.

OBJECTIVES Cone-beam dental computerize tomography (CBCT), a noninvasive imaging method, was used to image the pulp-dentin complex. Pulp changes histologically with aging. While many studies have investigated the histological changes in pulp, few studies have focused on the changes in the shape of the root canals. This study evaluated the changes in the root canals with aging of central superior teeth using CBCT. STUDY DESIGN The study examined 100 non-carious maxillary central teeth. These teeth were divided into five groups according to the age of the patients: Group A:15-24, Group B: 25-34, Group C: 35-44, Group D: 45-54 and Group E: 55 years and older. CBCT was used to determine root length, and pulp width at the cervical, apical 1/2, and apical 1/3. RESULTS On comparing the groups using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the root length did not differ (P>0.05), while the pulp width at the cervical, apical 1/2, and apical 1/3 differed between the groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The pulp length did not change with aging, while the pulp width did change. CBCT can be used to determine the precise root length and width, to prevent iatrogenic exposure of the apex, complementing existing methods. This will improve the prediction of the prognosis of root canal treatment.