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. 2017 Apr 7;7(1):750.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-00871-9.

Root anatomy and canal morphology of mandibular first premolars in a Chinese population

Lei Dou  1   2   3 , Duojiao Li  1   4 , Tingting Xu  1   2   3 , Yin Tang  5 , Deqin Yang  6   7   8
Affiliations

Root anatomy and canal morphology of mandibular first premolars in a Chinese population

Lei Dou et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

This study was to investigate root anatomy and root canal morphology of mandibular first premolars in a Chinese population. 178 human permanent mandibular first premolars extracted from a native Chinese population were collected, scanned using micro-computed tomography and reconstructed three-dimensionally. The number of roots and canals, canal configuration and radicular grooves were investigated. The root canal morphology was categorized according to Vertucci's criteria. The radicular grooves were scored according to the Arizona State University dental anthropology scoring system (ASUDAS), and the correlation between scores for radicular grooves and root canal morphology was analyzed. Almost all the samples were single-rooted (99.4%). 64.04% of teeth possessed type I canal systems, whilst 34.27% had two canals and 1.69% had three canals. According to ASUDAS, the scores of radicualr grooves were 56.74%, 16.85%, 12.36%, 10.11%, 3.37% and 0.56% respectively from grade 0 to grade 5. The roots with radicular grooves (grade 3 or 4) were defined as Tome's anomalous root and these roots have a high incidence of C-shape configurations (66.67%) and multiple-canal systems (100%). There is complicated variation of the root anatomy and canal morphology of mandibular first premolars in southwestern Chinese population, which needs special attention and careful assessment for endodontic treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The micro-CT images showing external root anatomy and corresponding inner root canal morphology. The teeth were scored for radicular grooves variations according to ASUDAS. (A) grade 0, (B,C) grade 1, (D) grade 2, (E,F) grade 3, (G,H) grade 4, (I–P) the corresponding inner root canal morphology for teeth in (A–H).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The micro-CT images showing the radicular grooves and cross-sectional configuration. Radicular grooves are shown on the external surfaces from proximal view (black arrow) and cross-sectional view (white arrow). From cross-sectional view, C-shaped configuration can be found in these samples. Level 1, cementoenamel junction; Level 2, coronal third; Level 3, middle third; Level 4, apical third.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Illustration showing the categories of root canal morphologies in human permanent teeth according to the method by Vertucci.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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