Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2014 Summer;9(3):190-4.
Epub 2014 Jul 5.

Cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of maxillary first and second molars in Iranian population: a morphological study

Affiliations

Cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of maxillary first and second molars in Iranian population: a morphological study

Armita Rouhani et al. Iran Endod J. 2014 Summer.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this in vitro study was to identify the root and canal morphology of maxillary first and second molars in Iranian population by taking and analyzing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans.

Methods and materials: Extracted maxillary first (n=125) and second (n=125) molars were collected from native Iranians and scanned by using a CBCT scanner. The number of roots and configuration of root canal system were classified according to Vertucci's classification.

Results: Two (1.6%) maxillary first and two (1.6%) maxillary second molars had four roots. Prevalence of root fusion was 2.4% and 8.8% in maxillary first and second molars, respectively. The most common canal morphology in the mesiobuccal roots of three-rooted first and second molars was type I (46.4% and 80.8%, respectively), followed by type VI (17.6%) in first molars. The predominant morphology of distobuccal and palatal roots in first and second molars was type I. Additional canal types were also identified.

Conclusion: Profound knowledge of anatomic variations is necessary prior to cleaning and obturation of the root canal system. The most common discovered root morphology was three separate roots in both tooth types. The greatest variation in canal anatomy was discovered in the MB canals of both the first and second molars.

Keywords: CBCT; Canal Configuration; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Iranian Population; Maxillary Molar.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Maxillary first molar with fusion of two roots (DB and DP) in the axial section: A) Pulp chamber floor; B) Two canals (B and P); C) Three canals (MB, DB, P) with MB being separated; D) Four canals (MB, DB, MP, DP); E) While MB is separated, three roots are still fused; F) DB and DP roots are fused at the apex
Figure 2
Figure 2
Maxillary second molar with fusion of three roots in the axial section; A) White arrow indicates the pulp chamber floor of the examined tooth; B) Two canals are seen in this view (B and P): MB and DB are merged; C) Three canals (MB, DB and P), DB is separated; D) Three separate roots at the apex

References

    1. Vertucci FJ. Root canal morphology and its relationship to endodontic procedures. Endod Topics. 2005;10(1):3–29.
    1. Sert S, Bayirli GS. Evaluation of the root canal configurations of the mandibular and maxillary permanent teeth by gender in the Turkish population. J Endod. 2004;30(6):391–8. - PubMed
    1. Chen G, Yao H, Tong C. Investigation of the root canal configuration of mandibular first molars in a Taiwan Chinese population. Int Endod J. 2009;42(11):1044–9. - PubMed
    1. Weng XL, Yu SB, Zhao SL, Wang HG, Mu T, Tang RY, Zhou XD. Root canal morphology of permanent maxillary teeth in the Han nationality in Chinese Guanzhong area: a new modified root canal staining technique. J Endod. 2009;35(5):651–6. - PubMed
    1. Ng YL, Aung TH, Alavi A, Gulabivala K. Root and canal morphology of Burmese maxillary molars. Int Endod J. 2001;34(8):620–30. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources