Objective: To compare the conventional lingual access to labial access preparation in mandibular anterior teeth in terms of achieving a straight-line access to the apex with maximum conservation of coronal tooth structure.
Method and Materials: One hundred extracted human mandibular incisors with intact crowns and patent root canal configuration were collected, numbered, and weighed in a microbalance. Each tooth was radioÂgraphed in a labiolingual direction, traced, evaluated, and assigned into 1 of 5 classes as per the classification given by Zillich and Jerome (1981).The frequency of types of canal configuration in each class was determined as a percentage. The teeth were randomly divided into 2 groups of 50 teeth. Access was prepared lingually in group 1 and labially in group 2 to achieve a straight-line access to the apex. The amount of tooth tissue lost as a result of access preparation was measured for all teeth.
Results: A total of 71 teeth had their tracing projections buccal and buccoincisal. The tooth tissue lost during lingual access was significantly more than that lost during labial access preparation (P < .001).
Conclusion: A labial access opening for endodontic treatment of mandibular incisors would facilitate straight-line access to canals more consistently and conservatively.
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