Evaluation of anatomy and morphology of human mandibular first and second molar teeth by cone- beam computed tomography in Tabriz individuals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the root and canal morphology of mandibular first and second molars in a iranian population by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: CBCT images of mandibular first (n = 104) and second molar (n = 130) teeth from 197 Iranian patients were analyzed. The root canal configurations were classified according to the method of Vertucci.Statistically significant differences were evaluated using the 2 test with SPSS 17.P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULT: The majority of mandibular molars (96.2% of first molars, 83.1% of second molars) had two separate roots; however, three roots were identi??fied in 3.8% of first molars and 1.5% of second molars. C-shaped canals occurred 6.7% of first molars and 34.6% of second molars. Three canals were found in 73.1% of first molars and 84.6% of second molars. Most distal roots had a simple configuration, whereas mesial roots had more complex canal systems, with more than one canal.The most common canal morphology in the mesial roots of two-rooted first molars were types II and III (27.9% respectively) and in second molar was type III(42.3%), followed by type I (25.4%, respectively). The distal roots of first and second molars showed predominantly type I canal morphology. CONCLUSIONS: Vertucci type I and type III (and type II in first molars) canal configurations were the most prevalent in the distal and mesial roots, respectively, of both the mandibular first and second permanent molar teeth and CBCT is an exciting and clinically useful tool in studying root canal morphology.