(PR108) Evaluation of EZ-Guide for Canal Separation in Mesial Angulation in Mandibular Molars: An Ex-vivo Statistical Study

Dental providers struggle with reproducibility in capturing horizontally angulated radiographs, which are crucial for visualizing root and canal anatomy. This ex-vivo study introduces the EZ Guide, a novel sensor holder with adjustable angulation.

Objective: To evaluate canal separation with 26° and 30° mesial angulations in the apical third of mandibular molars and the frequency of missed root anatomy or cone-cuts.

Methods: Fourteen mandibular molars were accessed. Handfiles(#10) were placed to length in MB and ML canals and fixed with wax. Absolute intercanal distance (AIC) between the MB and ML files was measured using a radiograph taken from the mesial. Teeth were then mounted in a typodont and 0°, 26°, and 30° mesial angulated radiographs were taken using the EZ guide. Distance between canals were measured at the apex, 3mm, and 6mm from the apex. ANOVA with a post-hoc t-test (𝛼 = 0.05) was utilized to identify significance.

Results: Both 26° and 30° mesial angulations showed 100% MB and ML canal separation in mandibular molars, without cone-cuts and missed apices. AIC showed the largest significant separation. Mean separation distances at AIC, 0o, 26o, and 30o were 1.61 mm, 0.33 mm, 0.69 mm, 0.85 mm, respectively. Both 26o and 30o showed significant canal separation compared to 0o but no significance was found between 26o and 30o.

Conclusions: The EZ Guide ensured a 100% canal separation without radiographic errors in canals that were separate. These results support further in-vivo studies, suggesting the EZ Guide could improve diagnostic accuracy with 26° and 30° angulations.