Micro-CT evaluation of frozen and embalmed human cadavers on the effect of root canal preparation on microcrack formation in old dentin

The aim of this study was to evaluate the existence of preoperative dentinal defects among differently preserved dentoalveolar bone-blocks (frozen vs. embalmed) and to investigate the effect of varying apical forces (low: <4 N, high: 4–8 N) during root canal preparation on microcrack formation using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Thirteen embalmed and seven frozen bone-blocks containing 1–3 single rooted teeth were collected. The teeth were evenly divided into three groups (n = 10): F(Low) (frozen, <4 N), E(Low) (embalmed, <4 N), E(High) (embalmed, 4–8 N). After working length determination all specimens were scanned preoperatively. Root canal preparation was performed using nickel-titanium instruments sizes 25/.06 and 40/.06 (F6 SkyTaper; Komet, Lemgo, Germany). A postoperative scan was performed and image stacks were co-registered. All cross-sectional images were screened to identify the presence of dentinal defects. The results were expressed as the percentage of teeth/slices presenting dentinal defects. The statistical analyses were performed with Kruskal-Wallis-Test and Mann-Whitney-U-Test (α = 5%). Embalmed specimens presented a significantly higher percentage of slices with preoperative microcracks (p<0.05) than frozen specimens. No significant difference between groups was observed regarding the induction of microcracks (p>0.05). Root canal preparation does not induce microcracks in dentoalveolar bone-blocks from donors of old age, irrespective of the preservation method and the apically directed forces.