Skip to main content

Diaphanization Techniques in the Study of Root Canal Anatomy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Root Canal Anatomy in Permanent Dentition

Abstract

The study of the root canal anatomy is very important in endodontics. The introduction of innovative technologies such as micro-CT or CBCT has provided a great advance in the field; however, due to their excessive costs, it is still out of reach of most practitioners and researchers. Dental diaphanization or transparency methods, also known as dental clarification, are economical in their implementation, and the results are reliable. These features make this technique a useful tool for understanding the internal anatomy of human teeth while providing personal assessment of various endodontic procedures using extracted teeth. The mastery of advanced dental transparency techniques can require a personal learning curve where art and trial and error play a key role. Practice, patience, and perseverance are essential elements in learning these processes, but the basic elements and fundamentals of tooth transparency can give results that allow the teaching and learning benefits that are offered herein. Therefore, this chapter aimed to describe the foundation of the dental diaphanization methodology and provide details about the most used techniques.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Spalteholz KW. Ɯber das Durchsichtigmachen von menschlichen und tierischen PrƤparaten, nebst Anhang: Ɯber KnochenfƤrbung. Leipzig: S. Hirzel; 1911.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  2. Spalteholz KW, inventor. Manufacture of transparent and translucent bodies. Patent number US1021952A.1912.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  3. Prinz H. The Spalteholz method of preparing transparent animal bodies. Dental Cosmos. 1913;55:374ā€“8.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  4. Fasoli, Arlotta. Sullā€™anatomia dei canali radicolari dei denti umani. Giugno: Stomatologia; 1913.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  5. Vertucci FJ. Root canal anatomy of the human permanent teeth. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1984;58:589ā€“99.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  6. Altunbaş D, Kuştarci A, Arslan D, Er K, Kocak S. Comparison of various current electronic apex locators to determine the working length using the clearing technique. Niger J Clin Pract. 2015;18:359ā€“63.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  7. Venturi M, Prati C, Capelli G, Falconi M, Breschi L. A preliminary analysis of the morphology of lateral canals after root canal filling using a tooth-clearing technique. Int Endod J. 2003;36:54ā€“63.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  8. Venturi M, Di Lenarda R, Prati C, Breschi L. An in vitro model to investigate filling of lateral canals. J Endod. 2005;31:877ā€“81.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  9. de Gregorio C, Estevez R, Cisneros R, Heilborn C, Cohenca N. Effect of EDTA, sonic, and ultrasonic activation on the penetration of sodium hypochlorite into simulated lateral canals: an in vitro study. J Endod. 2009;35:891ā€“5.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  10. de Gregorio C, Estevez R, Cisneros R, Paranjpe A, Cohenca N. Efficacy of different irrigation and activation systems on the penetration of sodium hypochlorite into simulated lateral canals and up to working length: an in vitro study. J Endod. 2010;36:1216ā€“21.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  11. Robertson D, Leeb IJ, McKee M, Brewer E. A clearing technique for the study of root canal systems. J Endod. 1980;6:421ā€“4.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  12. Robertson DC, Leeb IJ. The evaluation of a transparent tooth model system for the evaluation of endodontically filled teeth. J Endod. 1982;8:317ā€“21.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  13. Yamamoto T, Domon T, Takahashi S, Islam MN, Suzuki R. A resin embedding method for transparent teeth with ink-infiltrated pulp cavities. Ann Anat. 2001;183:481ā€“3.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  14. Omer OE, Al Shalabi RM, Jennings M, Glennon J, Claffey NM. A comparison between clearing and radiographic techniques in the study of the root-canal anatomy of maxillary first and second molars. Int Endod J. 2004;37:291ā€“6.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  15. Weng XL, Yu SB, Zhao SL, Wang HG, Mu T, Tang RY, et al. Root canal morphology of permanent maxillary teeth in the Han nationality in Chinese Guanzhong area: a new modified root canal staining technique. J Endod. 2009;35:651ā€“6.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  16. Neelakantan P, Subbarao C, Subbarao CV. Comparative evaluation of modified canal staining and clearing technique, cone-beam computed tomography, peripheral quantitative computed tomography, spiral computed tomography, and plain and contrast medium-enhanced digital radiography in studying root canal morphology. J Endod. 2010;36:1547ā€“51.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  17. Lee KW, Kim Y, Perinpanayagam H, Lee JK, Yoo YJ, Lim SM, et al. Comparison of alternative image reformatting techniques in micro-computed tomography and tooth clearing for detailed canal morphology. J Endod. 2014;40:417ā€“22.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  18. Monika, Dhawan R, Dhawan S, Mehta P. Analysis of root canal anatomy & morphological variations of maxillary 1st molar by different methods ā€“ an in vitro study. Endodontology. 2014;26:279ā€“85.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  19. Rehman K, Khan FR, Habib S. Diaphonization: a recipe to study teeth. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2015;16:248ā€“51.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  20. Barrington C. Clearing a tooth to expose internal anatomy. Endod Practice USA. 2015;8:18ā€“23.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  21. Greco-Machado Y, GarcĆ­a-Molina JA, Bueno-MartĆ­nez R, Manzanares-CĆ©spedes MC, Lozano-De Luaces V. TĆ©cnicas de diafanizaciĆ³n: estudio comparativo. Endodoncia. 2008;26:85ā€“92.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  22. Okumura T. Anatomy of the root canals. JADA. 1927;14:632ā€“6.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  23. Aprile H, FigĆŗn ME, Garino RR. AnatomĆ­a odontolĆ³gica: orocervicofacial. 4th ed. Buenos Aires: El Ateneo; 1967.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  24. GĆ³mez ME, Campos A. HistologĆ­a, embriologĆ­a e ingenierĆ­a tisular bucodental. 3rd ed. Mexico City: Medica Panamericana; 2010.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  25. An YH, Martin KL. Handbook of histology methods for bone and cartilage. 1st ed. New York: Humana Press; 2003.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  26. Segura-Egea J, Jimenez-Rubio A, Llamas R, Jimenez-Planas A. El Ć”cido etilen diamino tetraacĆ©tico (EDTA) y su uso en endodoncia. Endodoncia. 1997;15:90ā€“7.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  27. IHC World: Life science product and services. Methods and protocols for decalcification of bone materials https://www.ihcworld.com/_protocols/histology/decalcification.htm. Accessed 12 May 2018.

  28. Mawhinney WH, Richardson E, Malcolm AJ. Control of rapid nitric acid decalcification. J Clin Pathol. 1984;37:1409ā€“13.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  29. Suvarna K, Layton C, Bancroft JD. Bancroftā€™s theory and practice of histological techniques. 7th ed. Churchill, Livingstone: Elsevier; 2013.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  30. Chang R, Goldsby K. QuĆ­mica. 11th ed. McGraw-Hill: Mexico City; 2015.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  31. Ebbing D, Gammon SD. General chemistry. 11th ed. Auburn, WA: Cengage Learning; 2016.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  32. PĆ©cora JD, Woelfel JB, Sousa-Neto MD, Issa EP. Morphologic study of the maxillary molars. Part II: Internal anatomy. Braz Dent J. 1992;3:53ā€“7.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  33. Cediel J, CƔrdenas M, Garcƭa A. Manual de histologƭa: tejidos fundamentales. 1st ed. Rosario, Argentina: Editorial Universidad de Rosario; 2009.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  34. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Public health statement for 1,4 dioxane CAS # 123-91-1, Atlanta, GA, 2015. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp187-c1-b.pdf. Accessed 12 May 2018.

  35. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. ToxFAQs for chloroform CAS # 67-66-3, Atlanta, GA, 2011. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts6.pdf. Accessed 12 May 2018.

  36. VerdĆ­n S, Moreno L, Rojo N, GarcĆ­a A, OmaƱa M, Meneses A, et al. HistologĆ­a e inmunohistoquĆ­mica: Manual de mĆ©todos. 1st ed. Mexico City: Editorial de la Universidad Nacional AutĆ³noma de MĆ©xico, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala; 2013.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  37. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Isopropyl alcohol, 2015. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng0554.html. Accessed 12 May 2018.

  38. PĆ©cora JD, Silva RS, Sousa-Neto MD. ApresentaĆ§Ć£o de uma tĆ©cnica simplificada de diafanizaĆ§Ć£o de dentes e sua inclusĆ£o em blocos transparentes. Odonto. 1993;2:384ā€“5.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  39. Evans D, Steele R, Sumnar M. Animal litter comprising gypsum and aluminum sulfate and processes of making same, US 6029603A, 2000. https://www.google.com/patents/US6029603. Accessed 12 May 2018.

  40. Wilse Robinson G, Cho CH, Gellene GI. Refractive index mysteries of water. J Phys Chem B. 2000;104:7179ā€“82.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  41. Meng Z, Yao XS, Yao H, Liang Y, Liu T, Li Y, et al. Measurement of the refractive index of human teeth by optical coherence tomography. J Biomed Opt. 2009;14:034010.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  42. Armarego WLF, Perrin DD. Purification of laboratory chemicals. 4th ed. Boston/Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann; 1997.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  43. Chan TY. The risk of severe salicylate poisoning following the ingestion of topical medicaments or aspirin. Postgrad Med J. 1996;72:109ā€“12.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  44. Chin RL, Olson KR, Dempsey D. Salicylate toxicity from ingestion and continued dermal absorption. Cal J Emerg Med. 2007;8:23ā€“5.

    PubMedĀ  PubMed CentralĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  45. Keller O. Untersuchungen zur Anatomie der WurzelkanƤle des menschlichen Gebisses nach dem Aufhellungsverfahren. Zurich; 1928.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  46. Castelucci A. Endodontics. Edizioni Odontoiatriche Il Tridente: Florence; 2005.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  47. Malentacca A, Lajolo C. A new technique to make transparent teeth without decalcifying: description of the methodology and micro-hardness assessment. Ann Anat. 2015;197:11ā€“5.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  48. von Stetten ZAO, Vahedi B, Reuver H. Der transparente Zahn. Endod J. 2008;3:34ā€“5.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  49. Thompson R. Close-up and macro photography: its art and field craft techniques. New York: Focal Press; 2017.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  50. Augerson CC, Messinger JM. Controlling the refractive index of epoxy adhesives with acceptable yellowing after aging. JAIC. 1993;32:311ā€“4.

    Google ScholarĀ 

  51. Mark JE. Physical properties of polymers handbook. New York: Springer Science & Business Media; 2007.

    BookĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

  52. Hasselgren G, Tronstad L. The use of transparent teeth in the teaching of preclinical endodontics. J Endod. 1975;1:278ā€“80.

    ArticleĀ  Google ScholarĀ 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Craig Barrington D.D.S. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

Ā© 2019 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Barrington, C., Balandrano, F. (2019). Diaphanization Techniques in the Study of Root Canal Anatomy. In: Versiani, M., Basrani, B., Sousa-Neto, M. (eds) The Root Canal Anatomy in Permanent Dentition. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73444-6_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73444-6_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-73443-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-73444-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics