Evaluation of the Root and Canal Morphology of Maxillary Permanent Molars and the Incidence of the Second Mesiobuccal Root Canal in Greek Population Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography

Abstract

Objectives: Cone-Beam Computed Tomography is an alternative imaging technique which has been recently introduced in the field of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology. It has rapidly gained great popularity among clinicians due to its ability to detect lesions and defects of the orofacial region and provide three-dimensional information about them. In the field of Endodontics, CBCT can be a useful tool to reveal tooth morphology irregularities, additional root canals and vertical root fractures. The objective of this study is to evaluate the root and root canal morphology of the maxillary permanent molars in Greek population using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography. Materials and Methods : 273 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were examined. The number of roots and root canals of the first and second maxillary molars were evaluated. Root canal configuration was classified according to Weine’s classification by two independent examiners and statistical analysis was performed. Results : A total of 812 molars (410 first and 402 second ones) were evaluated. The vast majority of both first and second molars had three roots (89.26% and 85.07%, respectively). Most first molars had four canals, while most second molars had three. In the mesiobuccal roots, one foramen was recorded in 80.91% of all teeth. Other rare morphologic variations were also found, such as fusion of a maxillary second molar with a supernumerary tooth. Conclusion : Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that more attention should be given to the detection of additional canals during root canal treatment in maxillary permanent molars. Towards this effort, CBCT can provide the clinician with supplemental information about the different root canal configurations for successful Root Canal Treatment.

Evaluation of Root Canal Morphology of Maxillary Permanent Second Molars Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Chennai ? A Cross Sectional Study.

“…A study by Nikoloudaki et al reveals the prevalence of MB2 canals (30.29%) in the upper second molars. 26 A similar study by Tanvi et al reported the presence of MB2 canals in 17.39% of permanent maxillary second molars in the study done among an Indian subpopulation in Mumbai with equal distribution between males and females. The study further explained the relationship between the prevalence of three separated roots in permanent maxillary second molars and genders, in which the incidence of three-rooted maxillary permanent second molars is more common in males compared to females.…”

“…A study by Nikoloudaki et al reported the frequent presence of three canals in the permanent maxillary second molars (49.5%) as compared to permanent maxillary first molars. 26 A similar study by Ghoncheh et al reported the prevalence of three roots of mesiobuccal, distobuccal and palatal in the permanent maxillary second molars with one canal in each root (86%) seen in an Iranian population. 23 Based on the descriptive analysis of root canal morphology of permanent maxillary second molars in Table 3, it can be seen that 90.59% of the teeth being examined in males acquired Type 1 of the Vertucci's classification, mainly in the distobuccal root (96.47%), followed by mesiobuccal (88.24%) and palatal (87.06%) roots respectively.…”

Radix mesiolingualis and radix distolingualis: a case report of a tooth with an unusual morphology

“…Out of 719 patients comprising of 1,365 maxillary first molars, they found only one tooth had two palatal roots (0.07%) 27. Georgia et al evaluated the root and canal morphology of maxillary permanent molars using CBCT in Greek population and found that out of the 410 first molars examined, one tooth had an accessory mesial root, and four teeth had two palatal roots (0.97%) 28. Tian et al29 analyzed and characterized the root and canal morphologies of maxillary molars in 844 Chinese patients using reconstructed CBCT imaging.…”

External and Internal Anatomy of Maxillary Permanent First Molars

“…For example, a high prevalence of the MB2 has been reported in Japanese (88.2%) [52], Iranian (86.6%) [78], Ireland (78%) [38], Australian (73.6%) [83], Caucasian (71%) [84] and Saudi (70.6%) [19] populations. However, a lower prevalence has been reported in Korean (63.59%) [12], Thailand (63.3%) [13], Russian (59.8%) [17], Polish (59.5%) [15], Greek (53.2%) [85] and Pakistani (48%) [81] populations. According to two different studies, the lowest reported incidence of MB2 was in Brazil (42.63%) [80] and (25%) [86].…”