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. 2020 Jun 3;5(2):105-111.
doi: 10.14744/eej.2020.29291. eCollection 2020.

Mesiobuccal Root Canal Morphology of Maxillary First Molars in a Brazilian Sub-Population - A Micro-CT Study

Bernardo Camargo Dos Santos  1 , Mariano Simon Pedano  2 , Cassia Katsuki Giraldi  3 , Julio Cezar Machado De Oliveira  4 , Inaya Correa Barbosa Lima  1 , Paul Lambrechts  2
Affiliations

Mesiobuccal Root Canal Morphology of Maxillary First Molars in a Brazilian Sub-Population - A Micro-CT Study

Bernardo Camargo Dos Santos et al. Eur Endod J. .

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the root canal system morphology of maxillary first molar mesiobuccal (MB) roots in a Brazilian sub-population using micro-computed tomography.

Methods: Ninety-six MB roots were scanned with a micro-CT (Skyscan 1173, Bruker). Three-dimensional images were analyzed regarding the number of pulp chamber orifices, the number and classification of the canals, the presence of accessory canals in different thirds of the root as well as the number and type of apical foramina.

Results: A single entrance orifice was found in 53.0% of the samples, two in 43.9% and only 3.1% had three orifices. The second mesiobuccal root canal (MB2) was present at some portion of the root in 87.5% of the specimens. A single apical foramen was present in 16.7%, two in 22.9%, and three or more foramina in 60.4% of the roots. Only 55.3% and 76.1% of the root canals could be arranged by Weine's and Vertucci's classifications, respectively.

Conclusion: The number of orifices at the pulp chamber level could not work as a predictor of the MB2 presence. The most prevalent canal configuration was Weine type IV / Vertucci type V. The anatomical complexity of the MB root could not be entirely classified by the current most accepted classifications.

Keywords: Micro-computed tomography; maxillary molars; pulp chamber anatomy; root canal anatomy; root canal classification.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Classification of the root canal system according to Weine et al. (3) and Vertucci (4). (a) Configuration classified as Weine/Vertucci type I. (b) Weine/Vertucci type II. (c) Vertucci type III. (d) Weine type III/Vertucci type IV. (e) Weine type IV/Vertucci type V. (f) Vertucci type VI. (g) Vertucci type VII. (h) Vertucci type VIII
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a-p) Examples of roots that do not meet the classifications proposed by Weine et al. (3) and Vertucci (4)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Different morphologies classified as apical deltas (a-f). The main canal cannot be differentiated from the accessory canals
Figure 4
Figure 4
The most complex apical configuration visualized in this study classified as an apical delta. Up to ten different apical foramina can be observed
Figure 5
Figure 5
Reticular canals. (a, b) Relationship between the internal and external morphologies. (c) Internal anatomy as a 3D model
Figure 6
Figure 6
Relationship between the internal and external morphologies. a-b A representative sample with 6 apical foramina (white arrows). (a) External surface of the root. (b) The canals (in red) in relationship with the translucent external morphology. (c, d) A representative sample with 3 apical foramina (white arrows). (c) External surface of the root. (d) Root canals (in red) in relationship with the translucent external morphology
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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