Analysis of gray levels of fiber posts through digital images - in vitro study

Abstract

This research aimed to com- pare and correlate gray levels of fiberglass post Fibrekor Post® (Jeneric/Pentron) with radicular dentin, using the digital systems Digora® (Soredex) and DentScan DentView® (Apica). Crowns of 22 upper central incisors were sectio- ned with root canals being filled by conventional technique and prepared with drills of 1,5 mm in diameter of the Fibrekor Post® set. Three radiographs were obtai- ned, with number 2 Ultraspeed® (Kodak) periapical films, of the posts in the canal and of the ra- dicular dentin by standardized te- chnique. Radiographic films were digitalized and the values of gray levels were obtained by the tools of the digital systems Digora® and DentScan DentView®. Then, they were submitted to statis- tic Student’s t-test with an error probability of 1%. Mean values of post gray level in the ducts were: 146,71 for Digora® system and 199,50 for DentScan DentView® system, these values being supe- rior to the ones of mesial and dis- tal radicular dentin for Digora® software and for DentScan Den- tView® digital system. The values of gray levels obtained with Digo- ra® system presented a positive correlation coefficient compared to DentScan DentView® system. It was also concluded that Fibrekor Post®, with a diameter of 1,5 mm, presented an opaque image in the interior of the radicular ducts of the upper central incisors. Key words: dental restoration, dental materials, digital X-ray, di- agnosis by image.