Study of root canal anatomy in human permanent teeth in a subpopulation of south India region using cone beam computed tomography

Introduction and Objectives: To evaluate the diversity of root canal morphology in human permanent teeth in a subpopulation of South India by using CBCT images. Materials and methodology: CBCT images of 520 teeth (100 patients, mean age of 42 years) from database were used. All teeth were evaluated by preview of the planes - sagittal, axial, and coronal. Results: Single rooted maxillary central incisors (100%), lateral incisors (98.5%) and canines (94.5%) commonly showed type I configuration. Maxillary first premolars displayed two roots in 78.4% and one root in 21.6% respectively. Maxillary second premolars displayed two roots in 10.8%and one root in 89.2%.Predominately maxillary molars were 3 rooted. Mesiobuccal root (MB) of maxillary first molars showed most common configurations of type I in 64% and type IV in32% of the teeth. Maxillary second molars reported with three roots in 81.2%, two roots in 14.1%and one root in 4.7% of the teeth. Type I (76.5%) was the most common configuration observed followed by type IV of 14% in maxillary second molars. Mandibular incisors and canines presented type I configuration in 84.4%, 93.4% respectively. Mandibular premolars had single root with frequencies of type I in 79.4% and type V in 5.8%. Mandibular first molars possess variations of type IV in 62.43% followed by type II in 33.7% in their mesial roots. The frequency of Radix Endomolaris was of 23.1%. Mandibular second molar mesial roots displayed 55.3% of type IV, 41.3% of type II and 3.4% of type III. The prevalence of C-shaped canals in mandibular second molars was found to be 9%. Conclusion: Prevalence of Radix Endomolaris in mandibular first molars was of 23.1%. Single rooted second mandibular molars showed 9% frequency of having “C” shaped configuration and type III of 6.06% was reported in this study. Such variations should be taken into consideration and knowledge of canal anatomy would eventually help the operator to deliver a better quality of endodontic therapy. CBCT with its high resolution and magnification properties, enables better identification of canal anatomy and its variations.