Complicated root canal morphology of mandibular first premolar in a Chinese population using the cross section method.

The purpose of this study was to assess the canal anatomy and morphology of mandibular first premolars in a Chinese population. Eighty-two extracted mandibular first premolars with intact roots were collected and stored in a glutaraldehyde solution. The teeth were embedded in clear resin and the root length was measured. The roots were resected perpendicular to the long axis at 3, 6, 9, and 12 mm from the apex. The resected root surfaces were polished, rinsed, dried, and stained with methylene blue. Digital photographs of the cross-sectional root surfaces were made at 24X. The incidence of multiple canals and varied morphology was determined by two independent examiners. The results indicated that 54% of the mandibular first premolars demonstrated a single canal. Twenty-two percent contained two canals and 18% percent had C-shaped configuration. The C-shaped root canal occurred predominantly in the 3 and 6 mm sections with one or two canals coronally. A unique finding was the circumferential canal (apical delta), which was characterized by a single canal splitting into 3 or 4 canals. The incidence of circumferential canal was 6% and occurred only in the apical 3 mm cross-sections. Identification of this unique apical canal configuration and the high incidence of multiple canals in mandibular first premolars may explain endodontic treatment failure in this tooth group.