X-RAY MICROTOMOGRAPHY - NONDESTRUCTIVE 3-DIMENSIONAL IMAGING FOR IN-VITRO ENDODONTIC STUDIES

Article shows the application of a laboratory x-ray microtomography sy stem, a miniaturized form of conventional computerized axial tomograph y, to the study of root canal morphologic characteristics and changes in the course of root canal treatment in extracted teeth. After recons truction of the three-dimensional images, the IDL software package (Re search Systems, Inc., Colorado) was used to obtain cross-sectional sli ces of the tooth and three-dimensional views of rendered surfaces of c onstant mineral density. The root canal systems and changes in these w ere imaged al a resolution (cubic voxel side-length) of similar to 40 mu m.