INCIDENCE OF SECOND MESIOBUCCAL ROOT CANAL IN MAXILLARY FIRST PERMANENT MOLARS IN JAPANESE WITH CONE-BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

Abstract

Aims: The success of endodontic treatment depends on the knowledge of root canal morphology. However, the incidence of second mesiobuccal root canal in maxillary first permanent molars in Japanese patients has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to clarify the incidence of second mesiobuccal root canal in maxillary first permanent molars in Japanese patients with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Material and Methods: The subjects were 111 patients (male: 45, female: 66; age range, 11 - 74 years) with mesiobuccal root canal in maxillary first permanent molars who underwent CBCT. No root canal fillings, caries, posts, crown restorations, apical periodontitis and resorption were included in this study. Data were recorded and analyzed according to Weine's classification for root canal configuration: type I, a single canal extends from the pulp chamber to the apical foramen; type II, two separate canals leave the chamber but merge before the apex to form one apical foramen; type III, two separate canals leave the chamber and exit the root in separate apical foramina; and type IV, a single canal leaves the chamber, but divides before the apex into two separate canals with separate apical foramina. Results: The incidence of mesiobuccal root canal in maxillary first permanent molars with CBCT were Type I: 23.4%, Type II: 21.6%, Type III: 36.9% and Type IV: 18.0%. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicated the incidence of second mesiobuccal root canal in maxillary first permanent molars in Japanese with CBCT.