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. 2025 Feb 3;15(1):4111.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-84877-0.

Micro-computed tomographic analysis of the morphology of maxillary canines

Thomas Gerhard Wolf  1   2 , Theodora Rempapi  3 , Niccolò Giuseppe Armogida  4 , Gianrico Spagnuolo  4 , Andrea Lisa Waber  3
Affiliations

Micro-computed tomographic analysis of the morphology of maxillary canines

Thomas Gerhard Wolf et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the morphology of maxillary canines (MxCs) by means of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).

Materials and methods: The root canal configurations (RCCs) of 97 maxillary canines of a mixed Swiss-German population were analyzed using micro-CT. After representing the internal morphology by 3-D software imaging, the RCC results were described using a four-digit system code indicating the main root canal from coronal to apical thirds and the main foramina number.

Results: The most frequently observed RCCs of the MxC of the Swiss-German population were 1-1-1/1 (77.3%), followed by 1-1-1/2 (14.4%), 1-1-2/2 (4.1%), and finally 1-1-1/3 and 1-2-1/1 with 2.1% each. One physiological foramen was observed in 79.4% of the samples, two in 18.6%, and only 2.1% had three foramina. In 52.6% of the MxC samples, accessory and connecting canals were identified, with the majority located in the apical third of the root.

Conclusions: This study contributes detailed information about the RCCs of MxC. The most prevalent RCC is 1-1-1/1, with accessory or connecting canals present in over half of the samples. However, it is noteworthy that in more than one-fifth of the examined samples, a particularly challenging RCC was observed. This should be considered when selecting treatment techniques.

Clinical relevance: This study presents the root canal configurations in maxillary canines of a Swiss-German population and emphasizes the importance of influencing endodontic treatment decisions and outcomes.

Keywords: Internal morphology; Maxillary canine; Micro-computed tomography; Root canal configuration; Swiss-German.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical declarations (Institutional Review Board Statement): The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Consent to participate: Informed consent was obtained from each participant included in the study or their legal representative. Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Micro-CT images of MxCs with a RCC of 1-1-1/1. Accessory canals can be observed in the apical third of the left tooth.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Micro-CT images of MxCs with RCCs of 1-2-1/1 (left) and 1-1-2/2 (right), whereas the right tooth had two roots. An accessory canal can be observed in the apical third of both teeth.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Micro-CT images of two MxCs with a RCC of 1-1-1/3. Dental structures are color-coded: the pulp and root canal system with red, enamel with white and dentin with transparent gray.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Micro-CT images of MxCs with RCCs of 1-1-1/1 (left) and 1-1-1/2 (right) RCC. Two main foramina and two accessory canals can be observed in the apical thirds of both teeth.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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