Radiology in Endodontics

Abstract

Endodontics requires radiographic imaging for diagnosis, treatment planning, therapy, and follow-up. Dental radiography allows for the identification of pathologic changes in the periradicular tissues that cannot be visualized by clinical inspection. For the precise execution of endodontic therapy, regular radiographic verification of individual treatment steps is necessary. As a review for clinicians, normal and pathologic findings relevant to Endodontics are presented. Key radiographic imaging techniques, such as the paralleling and bisecting techniques, as well as horizontal and vertical eccentric radiographs, are discussed. The increasing utilization and impact of cone-beam computed tomography providing 3-dimensional volume imaging are reviewed.

Keywords: CBCT; Cone-beam computed tomography; Endodontic radiology; Periapical radiograph; Root canal treatment.