Endodontic Treatment Outcomes and Diagnostic Techniques
Summary
Endodontic treatment, commonly known as root canal therapy, seeks to eradicate infection within the pulp chamber and periapical tissues while preserving tooth structure and function. Treatment outcomes hinge on the effective debridement of the root canal system, the control of microbial biofilms and the quality of obturation and coronal restoration. Advances in diagnostic techniques have reshaped both pre-operative assessment and post-treatment evaluation, enabling clinicians to visualise complex canal anatomy, detect periapical pathology with greater sensitivity and monitor healing trajectories over time. Imaging modalities range from traditional two-dimensional radiographs to three-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), now enhanced by artificial intelligence algorithms and radiomics-based texture analyses. A thorough understanding of these tools, together with standardised outcome measures for pain, infection resolution and structural integrity, underpins optimal treatment planning, risk stratification and long-term prognosis.
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Endodontic Treatment Outcomes and Diagnostic Techniques publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in endodontic treatment outcomes and diagnostic techniques across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT): A three-dimensional imaging modality that provides high-resolution views of dental and maxillofacial structures with lower radiation dose than conventional CT.
Radiomics: The extraction of quantitative features from medical images to characterise tissue properties and support diagnostic or prognostic models.
Texture Analysis: A set of computational methods that quantify spatial patterns of pixel intensities within an image, revealing information about tissue organisation.
Apical Periodontitis: Inflammation and destruction of periapical tissues, often secondary to pulp necrosis, detectable by radiolucent changes at the root apex.
Root Canal Therapy (RCT): A procedure to remove diseased or necrotic pulp tissue, disinfect the canal system and obturate the space to prevent reinfection.
References
- Radiomics-Driven CBCT Texture Analysis as a Novel Biosensor for Quantifying Periapical Bone Healing: A Comparative Study of Intracanal Medications. Biosensors (2025).
- Diagnostic accuracy of periapical radiography and panoramic radiography in the detection of apical periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. La radiologia medica (2024).
- Preclinical and Preliminary Evaluation of Perceived Image Quality of AI-Processed Low-Dose CBCT Analysis of a Single Tooth. Bioengineering (2024).
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