3D Evaluation of Root Canal Configuration of Mandibular Premolars Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

Abstract

Background: Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) provides 3D image, which can help in identifying more than one canals, accessory and lateral canals. This study aimed to evaluate the commonly found root canal morphology of mandibular premolars according to Vertucci’s classification in the target Pakistani population using CBCT.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study performed on n=432 mandibular premolars bilaterally. Patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were sent to radiology department for CBCT. The CBCT images were examined with the help of 3D planner version 2.0_2018 villa SM 2018 software. For the number of the roots, position of the root, canal bifurcation and Vertucci’s classification of root canals Descriptive and Chi-squared statistics were applied to observe most prevalent type of Vertucci’s classification and to study its association between genders.

Results: Type I root canal configuration was identified as most common type in mandibular first premolars of right side [males: 36(87.8%); females: 65(100%)] and left side [males: 37(90.2%); females: 65(100%)]. In mandibular second premolar Type I was commonly observed in right as well as left side [males: 34(82.9%), females: 60(92.3%)]. Type V 3 (3.8%) was the second most common type followed by Type IV 1 (100%). The significant difference was observed in both males and females mandibular first premolars right and left sides (p=0.016, p=0.01 respectively).

Conclusion: Type-I root canal configuration in mandibular first premolars of right side was found the most common in the targeted population. We also found that mandibular first and second premolars are single-rooted and have single ovoid canal.

Keywords: Mandibular Premolars; Cone Beam Computed Tomography; Gender; Sexual Differentiation; Root Canal Configuration.