A Study of Root Canals Morphology in Primary Molars using Computerized Tomography

Sim, Dohee; Mah, Yonjoo

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the most common canal type in primary molars and the correlation between their roots and canals. A comprehensive understanding of root canal morphology will lead to more successful root canal treatment. Computed Tomography (CT) images from 114 children (81 boys, 33 girls) aged 3 - 7 years were obtained. The locations and numbers of roots and canals were evaluated, and the relationship between root and canal parameters was determined. The most commonly observed canal morphology in primary maxillary molars were mesio-buccal, disto-buccal and palatal canal. Primary mandibular molars most frequently contain mesio-buccal, mesio-lingual, disto-buccal and distolingual canal. All the roots of the primary maxillary molars except for the mesio-buccal root, each had 1 canal while there were 2 canals observed in each root of primary mandibular molars. Without exception, all mesial roots in primary mandibular 2nd molars had 2 canals. In case when either the palatal root in a primary maxillary molar or the distal root in a primary mandibular molar was separated into 2 roots, each root seemed to have its own canal. Even though the disto-buccal and palatal roots were fused into 1 root in primary maxillary molars, this fused root had tendency to have 2 separate canals. Primary mandibular molars showed similar canal morphologies between left and right molars in the same patient, while the primary maxillary molars did not.