Lucas P Lopes Rosado1, Deborah Queiroz Freitas2, Karla Rovaris3, Matheus L Oliveira2, Frederico Sampaio Neves2,4. 1. Division of Oral Radiology, Piracicaba Dental School, Department of Oral Diagnosis, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Av. Limeira, 901, Piracicaba, São Paulo, 13414-903, Brazil. lucaslopesrosado@gmail.com. 2. Division of Oral Radiology, Piracicaba Dental School, Department of Oral Diagnosis, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Av. Limeira, 901, Piracicaba, São Paulo, 13414-903, Brazil. 3. Department of Pathology and Dentistry Clinic, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. 4. Division of Oral Radiology, School of Dentistry, Department of Propedeutics and Integrated Clinic, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential of maxillary molar dimensions as predictors of the presence of the second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal. METHODS: Micro-computed tomography scans were obtained from 47 maxillary molars, out of which 26 had the MB2 canal. The distance between root canals, extension of the canals, and thickness of surrounding dentin were obtained from axial images at the furcation level, 3 mm from the apex, and 5 mm from the apex. The association between the measurements and the presence of the MB2 canal was assessed using multiple logistic regression and odds ratio. RESULTS: At the furcation level, the bucco-palatal extension of the MB1 canal significantly decreased the chance of the presence of the MB2 canal. Regarding the thickness of surrounding dentin measurements, the mesial and distal aspects of the MB1 canal at 3 mm from the apex were statistically significant to decrease and increase the chance of presence of the MB2 canal, respectively. Regarding the extension of the canals, only buccal-palatal extension seems to decrease the chance of the presence of the MB2 canal. CONCLUSION: The presence of the MB2 canal in the mesiobuccal root of maxillary molars is associated with the bucco-palatal extension and surrounding dentin thickness of the first mesiobuccal canal, and seems to be unrelated to the dimensions of the distobuccal and palatal roots.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential of maxillary molar dimensions as predictors of the presence of the second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal. METHODS: Micro-computed tomography scans were obtained from 47 maxillary molars, out of which 26 had the MB2 canal. The distance between root canals, extension of the canals, and thickness of surrounding dentin were obtained from axial images at the furcation level, 3 mm from the apex, and 5 mm from the apex. The association between the measurements and the presence of the MB2 canal was assessed using multiple logistic regression and odds ratio. RESULTS: At the furcation level, the bucco-palatal extension of the MB1 canal significantly decreased the chance of the presence of the MB2 canal. Regarding the thickness of surrounding dentin measurements, the mesial and distal aspects of the MB1 canal at 3 mm from the apex were statistically significant to decrease and increase the chance of presence of the MB2 canal, respectively. Regarding the extension of the canals, only buccal-palatal extension seems to decrease the chance of the presence of the MB2 canal. CONCLUSION: The presence of the MB2 canal in the mesiobuccal root of maxillary molars is associated with the bucco-palatal extension and surrounding dentin thickness of the first mesiobuccal canal, and seems to be unrelated to the dimensions of the distobuccal and palatal roots.