Korean J Oral Maxillofac Radiol.  2009 Jun;39(2):75-79.

The distribution of C-shaped canal system in Korean population with CT image

• Jun RW
• Huh KH
• Yi WJ
• Heo MS
• Lee SS
• Choi SC

Abstract

PURPOSE : To investigate the incidence and prevalence of C-shaped root canal using computed tomographic images of head and neck in Korean population.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
: Regardless of each examination purpose, randomly selected 268 examples which have serial axial computed tomographic images with 8 normal molars in maxilla and mandible were selected and investigated. Defined C-shaped root canal and we could get 82 proper image examples in view of this definition. These were detected and investigated of incidence and prevalence of C-shaped root canal.
RESULTS
: C-shaped root canals were found in 82 examples among 268 (30.6%) and 147 teeth. They were only found on molar area, and the highest incidence was 37.41% of left mandibular second molars, and the lowest was 2.04% of right maxillary second molars. On prevalence of tooth position, mandibular second molar was the highest, 65% of C-shaped root canal teeth and maxillary second molar was 6% the lowest.
CONCLUSION
: 31% of randomly selected CT images no considering check-up reason have C-shaped root canals. The C-shaped root canals of mandibular second molar are found most frequently and they are also detectable on maxilla. On Korean population, C-shaped root canals are one of conditions that have to concern with dental treatment for it appears at a high prevalence relatively.

Keyword

C-Shaped root canal; CT image; Korean population; Distribution

MeSH Terms

Dental Pulp Cavity
Head
Incidence
Mandible
Maxilla
Molar
Neck
Prevalence
Tooth