Cone-beam computed tomography study of root and canal morphology of maxillary first and second molars in an Indian population

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the root and canal morphology of maxillary first and second molars in an Indian population by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods: Maxillary first (n = 220) and second (n = 205) molars were collected from an indigenous Indian population and scanned by using a CBCT scanner at a constant slice thickness of 125 μm/slice. Volume rendering and multiplanar volume reconstruction were performed. The number of root canals was examined, and root canal system configurations were classified by using historical and contemporary classifications.

Results: Single-rooted first and second molars commonly showed types I, IV (0.5%) and type III (1%) canal systems, respectively. Buccal roots of two-rooted first molars showed 2 canal systems, type I and type IV, whereas second molars with 2 roots showed wide variations in canal anatomy. The most common canal morphology in the mesiobuccal roots of three-rooted first and second molars was type I (51.8% and 62%, respectively), followed by type IV (38.6% and 50%, respectively). The distobuccal and palatal roots of first and second molars showed predominantly type I canal morphology. Additional canal types were identified in 2.2% and 9.3% of the first and second molars, respectively.

Conclusions: The root number, morphology, and canal morphology of Indian maxillary molars showed features that were different from both Caucasian and Mongoloid traits. CBCT is an exciting and clinically useful tool in studying root canal morphology.