Restor Dent Endod.  2018 Nov;43(4):e42. 10.5395/rde.2018.43.e42.

C-shaped root canals of mandibular second molars in a Korean population: a CBCT analysis

• Kim HS
• Jung D
• Lee H
• Han YS
• Oh S
• Sim HY

• KMID: 2455573
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5395/rde.2018.43.e42

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to investigate the C-shaped root canal anatomy of mandibular second molars in a Korean population.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 542 teeth were evaluated using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The canal shapes were classified according to a modified version of Melton's method at the level where the pulp chamber floor became discernible.
RESULTS
Of the 542 mandibular second molars, 215 (39.8%) had C-shaped canals, 330 (53%) had 3 canals, 17 (3.3%) had 2 canals, 12 (2.2%) had 4 canals, and 8 (1.7%) had 1 canal. The prevalence of C-shaped canals was 47.8% in females and 28.4% in males. Seventy-seven percent of the C-shaped canals showed a bilateral appearance. The prevalence of C-shaped canals showed no difference according to age or tooth position. Most teeth with a C-shaped canal system presented Melton's type II (45.6%) and type III (32.1%) configurations.
CONCLUSIONS
There was a high prevalence of C-shaped canals in the mandibular second molars of the Korean population studied. CBCT is expected to be useful for endodontic diagnosis and treatment planning of mandibular second molars.

Keyword

C-shaped canal; Mandibular second molar; Korean; CBCT

MeSH Terms

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
Dental Pulp Cavity*
Diagnosis
Female
Humans
Male
Methods
Molar*
Prevalence
Tooth