Prevalence of C-shaped canal configuration in mandibular premolars and its relation with occurance of C-shaped canal configuration in mandibular second molars using CBCT images in Tabriz population

Abstract

Introduction: Knowing the root anatomy and its variations is vital and important for root canal treatment. Previous studies have shown that root canal anatomy depends on geographic and racial variations. Due to the fact that usually anatomical variations in people's jaws can be related to other variations and no study of this type has been conducted in the population of our country, the present study aims to investigate the prevalence of C-shaped canal in mandibular Premolars and its relation with C-shaped canals in the mandibular second Molars. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted retrospectively on all patients referred to the radiology department of Tabriz Dentistry Faculty between 2018 and 2021 in the number of 400 CBCT images. The data obtained from CBCT images were entered into NNT Viewer version 8 software. In order to classify Cshaped canals, the criteria of Fan et al. were used. At the end, the obtained data were analyzed by chi square test using SPSS 26 software. Results: The prevalence of C-shaped canals was 2.3% in mandibular premolars and 14.2% in mandibular second molars. In all these teeth, men showed a very small higher prevalence and this amount was not statistically significant. In terms of age, the average of people who had a C-shaped configuration was almost the same as people who did not have this configuration. Also, there was no correlation between the presence of this configuration in premolar and second molar teeth of the lower jaw and it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The prevalence of C-shaped canals was 2.3% in mandibular premolars and 14.2% in lower second molars, which was almost equal to previous studies in the region, and also a correlation between the presence of C-shaped canals in lower premolar and second molar teeth has not been identified.