Prevalence of Middle Mesial Canals and Isthmi in Mandibular Molars Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and configuration of Middle Mesial Canals (MMC) and isthmi in mandibular molars in Pakistani population using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). METHODOLOGY: Sixty CBCTs of patients were selected randomly from database of University College of Dentistry, Lahore. First and second permanent mandibular molars without evidence of previous endodontic treatment, full coverage restoration or root resorption were evaluated for the number of roots, canals and the presence and configuration of MMC and isthmi. The age and gender of patients were also recorded. SPSS was used for statistical analysis using chi-square test. Significance level was set at 5% (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Out of 189 mandibular molars, MMCs were found in 9 and isthmi in 62 teeth. No statistical association was found between the presence of MMC and age, gender, side or tooth type. Significantly more isthmi were found in second molars, females and younger patients, P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: MMC and isthmi in mesial roots of mandibular molars are not unusual findings in our population and CBCT can be a valuable tool for their detection.

Frequency of middle mesial canal in mandibular first molars and its association with various anatomic variables

“…Comparing the findings from CBCT studies on a Pakistani population, the reported frequency of MM canal ranged from 0.8% to 4.8% (11,19). The result for MM canal frequency in the present study is comparable with the work of Rehman et al (19); however, it is significantly higher than that reported by Shah and colleagues (11). This is likely due to the fact that unlike Rehman et al, who also reported MM canal frequency in second mandibular molars, the present study utilised a much larger sample size exclusively comprising of mandibular first molars for reporting MM canal frequency.…”

“…Comparing the findings from CBCT studies on a Pakistani population, the reported frequency of MM canal ranged from 0.8% to 4.8% (11,19). The result for MM canal frequency in the present study is comparable with the work of Rehman et al (19); however, it is significantly higher than that reported by Shah and colleagues (11).…”

“…The ethics approval was obtained from the Ethical Review Board at Riphah International University (IIDC/IRC/ 2021/004/004). A sample size of 122 scans was calculated using OpenEpi (version 3.01) with an anticipated population proportion of 0.048 (19) at 99% confidence interval and 5% absolute precision. CBCT images were obtained from the patient records at Islamic International Dental Hospital from October 2019 to March 2021.…”

Prevalence of middle mesial canal using cone beam computed tomography: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Two studies were excluded because the studies did not include the MMC in mesial root configuration ( Pawar et al, 2017 , Zhang et al, 2015 ), four studies were excluded because they did not state the voxel size and the CBCT machine ( Al Shehadat et al, 2019 , Babu and Anjaneyulu, 2020 , Perlea et al, 2019 , Reddy et al, 2021 ), and one study was excluded because the voxel size used in the study was more than 400 µm ( Tredoux et al, 2021 ). Finally, 28 studies were included in the meta-analysis ( Abarca et al, 2020 , Akbarzadeh et al, 2017 , Aldosimani et al, 2021 , Arayasantiparb et al, 2017 , Bhatti et al, 2022 , Demirbuga et al, 2013 , Hasheminia et al, 2021 , Hosseini et al, 2020 , Hu et al, 2019 , Inaty et al, 2020 , Kantilieraki, 2019 , Kuzekanani et al, 2020 , Ni et al, 2018 , Nur et al, 2014 , Palottil et al, 2021 , Pan et al, 2019 , Qiao et al, 2020 , Rehman et al, 2020 , Roshdy and El Khodary, 2018 , Sajjan et al, 2021 , Senthil and Solete, 2021 , Shah and Khan, 2019 , Shakeri et al, 2019 , Srivastava et al, 2018 , Tahmasbi et al, 2017 , Torres et al, 2015 , Xu et al, 2020 , Yang et al, 2020 ). The main features of the included studies are summarized in Table 1 .…”

“…However, the confluent type originates as a separate orifice but joins the MB or ML canals apically. Several studies have reported that the most common type of MMC is confluent, followed by the fin type, and the independent type is rarely identified ( Aldosimani et al, 2021 , Rehman et al, 2020 , Srivastava et al, 2018 ).…”