OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the root canal morphology of mandibular first premolar teeth in a population from southwestern China by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human mandibular first premolars (115) were selected and prepared for micro-CT analysis with a slice thickness of 30 μm. Details of root canal orifices, canals, accessory canals, apical foramina-apical delta intercanal communication, loops and isthmuses, and mesial invagination were analyzed from reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) images. RESULTS: Canal patterns categorized according to the classification defined by Vertucci (Endod Top 10:3-29, 2005) as types I (65.2%), III (2.6%), V (22.6%), and VII were identified (0.9%). Accessory canals were present in 35.7% of the samples and were predominantly located in the apical third of the root. A single apical foramen was observed in 50.4% of the samples and two or three foramina in 28.7% and 14.8%, respectively. Apical delta was identified in 6.1% of the samples and the prevalence of intercanal communication and loops was 3.5% and 7%, respectively. Mesial invagination of the root was identified in 27.8% of the samples, the majority of which contained multiple canals. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained in this study revealed complex root morphology with high prevalence of multiple canals, more than half of which exhibited type I canal patterns. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Micro-CT was used as a noninvasive technique for 3D investigation of root canal morphology in the mandibular first premolars of a population from southwestern China. Furthermore, data obtained revealed complex anatomy of various types.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the root canal morphology of mandibular first premolar teeth in a population from southwestern China by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS:Human mandibular first premolars (115) were selected and prepared for micro-CT analysis with a slice thickness of 30 μm. Details of root canal orifices, canals, accessory canals, apical foramina-apical delta intercanal communication, loops and isthmuses, and mesial invagination were analyzed from reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) images. RESULTS: Canal patterns categorized according to the classification defined by Vertucci (Endod Top 10:3-29, 2005) as types I (65.2%), III (2.6%), V (22.6%), and VII were identified (0.9%). Accessory canals were present in 35.7% of the samples and were predominantly located in the apical third of the root. A single apical foramen was observed in 50.4% of the samples and two or three foramina in 28.7% and 14.8%, respectively. Apical delta was identified in 6.1% of the samples and the prevalence of intercanal communication and loops was 3.5% and 7%, respectively. Mesial invagination of the root was identified in 27.8% of the samples, the majority of which contained multiple canals. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained in this study revealed complex root morphology with high prevalence of multiple canals, more than half of which exhibited type I canal patterns. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Micro-CT was used as a noninvasive technique for 3D investigation of root canal morphology in the mandibular first premolars of a population from southwestern China. Furthermore, data obtained revealed complex anatomy of various types.
Authors: D Maret; F Molinier; J Braga; O A Peters; N Telmon; J Treil; J M Inglèse; A Cossié; J L Kahn; M Sixou Journal: J Dent Res Date: 2010-10-07 Impact factor: 6.116