Both film and digital radiographic images are used to determine file length in endodontic treatment. A study by Woolhiser, et al compared the accuracy of film radiographs (both D- and F-speed film), digital images, and enhanced digital images in determining file length. The study involved 34 human cadaver teeth with a total of 51 canals. Size 15 K-files were bonded in the canals, and film, digital, and enhanced digital radiographs were taken; the distance from the tip of the file to the apex of the root was measured on the radiographs, and the quality of the radiographs was rated by observers. Then the overlying bone and root structure were removed to expose the file tip, and an actual measurement to the apex was made. The distance as measured on the different types of radiographs was compared to the actual measurement.
The study found that there was no difference in the accuracy of D-speed film, F-speed film, digital images, and enhanced digital images for determining endodontic file working length. Subjec-tive evaluation of image quality found that the en-hanced digital images re-ceived the highest rating, followed in order by digital images, D-speed film, and F-speed film.
(Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology, Vol. 99, No. 4, April 2005)F
