Abstract
Objective. The objective of this study was to determine if it was possible to retain 2 mm of dentin around the periphery of root-end cavity preparations in maxillary central incisor and maxillary canine teeth.
Study design. Thirty teeth of each type were root filled. Three millimeters of root end was resected and conservative root-end cavities ultrasonically prepared. Root ends were photographed and measured using a computer program. Teeth without 2 mm of peripheral dentin were sectioned for up to 3 further 1-mm increments.
Results. None of the central incisors had 2 mm of dentin remaining at the 3-mm resection level, and none of the canines had 2 mm of dentin remaining even after resecting to 6 mm.
Conclusions. Recommendations to preserve 2 mm of structure around the root-end cavities of these teeth are unrealistic.