J Korean Acad Prosthodont.  2020 Apr;58(2):95-102. 10.4047/jkap.2020.58.2.95.

Evaluation of root and root canal morphology of elderly Korean patients maxillary molarsusing cone-beam computed tomography

• Lee TY
• Kim MY
• Kim SH
• Kim JH

• KMID: 2500021
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4047/jkap.2020.58.2.95

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of the second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal, root fusion, and C-shaped root canal configuration in the Korean maxillary first (MM1) and second (MM2) molars by analyzing cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images. Materials and methods: Patients undergoing presurgical CBCT examination were included in the current study. The CBCT images of 1498 MM1 and 1742 MM2 from 1658 Korean patients were assessed to determine the incidence of a MB2 canal, the types of canal configurations, root fusion, and C-shaped root canal configurations. Further, the correlations between the incidence of MB2 canal and age, gender, and tooth position were analyzed. Results: The study population was relatively old (mean age: 66.1 years). The percentage of MB2 canals in MB roots was 60.1% and 28.0% in MM1 and MM2, respectively, with the most common configurations being Weine type III in MM1 and Weine type II in MM2. Additionally, the frequency of a MB2 canal decreased with age in both molars and was higher in men than in women in the MM1 only. Furthermore, root fusion was present in 2.3% and 26.2% of the MM1 and MM2, respectively, whereas C-shaped root canals were observed in 0.4% and 2.7% of the MM1 and MM2, respectively. Conclusion: The MB2 canal was found more frequently in the MM1, whereas root fusion and C-shaped root canals were both seen more frequently in the MM2. (J Korean Acad Prosthodont 2020;58:95-102)

Keyword

Cone-beam computed tomography; C-shaped root canal; Maxillary molars; Root fusion; Second mesiobuccal canal