Murilo von Zuben1, Jorge N R Martins2, Luiza Berti3, Imran Cassim4, Daniel Flynn4, Jose Antonio Gonzalez5, Yongchun Gu6, Jojo Kottoor7, Adam Monroe4, Rubén Rosas Aguilar8, Miguel Seruca Marques4, António Ginjeira1. 1. Department of Endodontics, Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal. 2. Department of Endodontics, Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal. Electronic address: jnr_martins@yahoo.com.br. 3. Department of Radiology, Faculdade de Odontologia São Leopoldo Mandic, Campinas, SP, Brazil. 4. Private Practice. 5. Departamento de Endodoncia y Conservadora, Facultad de Odontología, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. 6. Department of Dentistry and Central Laboratory, The First People's Hospital of Wujiang District, Suzhou, Nantong University, Nantong, China. 7. Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Mar Baselios Dental College, Kochi, Kerala, India. 8. Department of Endodontics, De LaSalle University, Guanajuato, Bajio, Mexico.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the C-shaped mandibular second molar prevalence in different regions around the world with the aid of cone-beam computed tomography technology. METHODS: Nine field observers from 9 different geographic regions were calibrated. A total of 400 samples were collected in each region. The prevalence of C-shaped anatomy was calculated. The number of roots and the configuration of the C-shaped canals at 3 different axial levels were also evaluated. The z-test was used to analyze the difference between the means of each independent group. Intrarater reliability was also tested. RESULTS: A total of 3600 teeth from 2735 patients were included in this research; 499 teeth presented C-shaped root canal configuration, representing a global prevalence of 13.9%. China had a prevalence of 44.0%, which was significantly higher than any other region. The C-shape prevalence in women was 16.5%, which was significantly higher than the 10.4% prevalence found in men. No difference between sides (37 or 47) was evident in the global sample. CONCLUSIONS: Cone-beam computed tomography is a valuable tool to evaluate the C-shaped root canal configuration in vivo. In the present study, China presented the highest prevalence of C-shaped mandibular second molars when compared with other regions. Women exhibited a higher prevalence than men.
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the C-shaped mandibular second molar prevalence in different regions around the world with the aid of cone-beam computed tomography technology. METHODS: Nine field observers from 9 different geographic regions were calibrated. A total of 400 samples were collected in each region. The prevalence of C-shaped anatomy was calculated. The number of roots and the configuration of the C-shaped canals at 3 different axial levels were also evaluated. The z-test was used to analyze the difference between the means of each independent group. Intrarater reliability was also tested. RESULTS: A total of 3600 teeth from 2735 patients were included in this research; 499 teeth presented C-shaped root canal configuration, representing a global prevalence of 13.9%. China had a prevalence of 44.0%, which was significantly higher than any other region. The C-shape prevalence in women was 16.5%, which was significantly higher than the 10.4% prevalence found in men. No difference between sides (37 or 47) was evident in the global sample. CONCLUSIONS: Cone-beam computed tomography is a valuable tool to evaluate the C-shaped root canal configuration in vivo. In the present study, China presented the highest prevalence of C-shaped mandibular second molars when compared with other regions. Women exhibited a higher prevalence than men.