Pulp and periapical diseases are common and frequently occurring diseases of which diagnosis and treatment must be dealt with by the dental clinicians. The diagnostic techniques of these diseases include evaluation of pulp vitality, measurement of pulp blood circulation and analysis and judgment of root canal anatomy. With the continuous emergence of digital and imaging technologies, the correct application of these technologies in clinic will help clinicians improve their abilities in diagnosis and treatment of related diseases. The present article summarizes and reviews the progress of assistant technology for diagnosing dental pulp and periapical diseases in recent years and puts forward some suggestions for its application.
Humans ; Periapical Diseases/diagnostic imaging* ; Root Canal Therapy/methods*

With the development of medical radiography, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been widely used in stomatology because of its numerous advantages, such as adequate spatial resolution, low radiation, undistorted three- dimensional tissue information, and good applicability for hard tissue imaging. Traditional periapical radiography is based on two-dimensional image which displays the three-dimensional object and its surrounding structures. Periapical radiography can only show the overlapping mesio-distally direction bone destruction, can't show buccolingual direction bone destruction. As a kind of three-dimensional imaging technology, CBCT can show three-dimensional structure of the organization from sagittal, coronal and axial direction, to overcome the defect of two-dimensional image such as overlap and deformation. CBCT has a unique advantage than periapical radiography in the diagnosis and treatment for periapical disease. This review will summarize the difference between CBCT and periapical radiography in the periapical disease.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Periapical Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography, Bitewing

Dental Pulp Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Periapical Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Problem Solving ; Radiography ; X-Rays

Root canal therapy and endodontic surgery are conventional treatments for pulpal and periapical diseases. Compared with naked-eye operations, the application of dental operating microscope has enhanced the procedural accuracy and prognosis efficiently. However, root canals with pulp calcification/obliteration, apical lesions with thick cortical bone or adjacent to important anatomic structures are even challenging for experienced operators to achieve predictable clinical outcomes. Recently, with the advances in the field of digitalized information sciences, the above mentioned complicated endodontic cases can be solved under static and dynamic guidance. Before the treatment begins, virtual path is designed from data collected by cone-beam CT and oral image scanning using guidance software. Afterwards, root canal therapy and endodontic surgery can be performed precisely under the assistance of three-dimensional printed guide or dynamic guidance system. The present review describes the classification, features and clinical applications of the guided endodontics.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Endodontics ; Humans ; Periapical Diseases/diagnostic imaging* ; Root Canal Therapy

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is considered at the present time as the gold standard for root-end filling in endodontic surgery. However, this biocompatible material presents several drawbacks such as a long setting time and handling difficulties. The aim of this article is to present a new commercialized calcium silicate-based material named Biodentine with physical improved properties compared to MTA in a clinical application. Two endodontic microsurgeries were performed by using specific armamentarium (microsurgical instrumentation, ultrasonic tips) under high-power magnification with an operatory microscope. Biodentine was used as a root-end filling in order to seal the root canal system. The two cases were considered completely healed at 1 year and were followed for one more year. The 2-year follow-up consolidated the previous observation with absence of clinical symptoms and radiographic evidence of regeneration of the periapical tissues.
Calcium Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Microsurgery ; instrumentation ; Middle Aged ; Periapical Diseases ; therapy ; Periapical Tissue ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Radiography, Bitewing ; Regeneration ; physiology ; Retrograde Obturation ; methods ; Root Canal Filling Materials ; therapeutic use ; Root Canal Preparation ; instrumentation ; Silicates ; therapeutic use ; Ultrasonic Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; Wound Healing ; physiology