A BSTRACT Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze root form and morphology of human maxillary first permanent premolars of an Indo-Dravidian population from southern India. Materials and Methods: Eight hundred and twenty-two maxillary first permanent premolars were cleansed and stored appropriately. Morphology and root form analysed, segregated into Groups (Gps): Gp I, Gp II, and Gp III, and later divided into subgroups (SGs) based on specific criteria. Gp I was divided into two SGs: SG A (minimal or absence of grooving in the root) ( n = 252) and SG B (clear and defined longitudinal groove in the root) ( n = 104), and Gp II was divided into SG C (roots dividing in coronal one-third) ( n = 154), SG D (roots dividing in the middle one-third) ( n = 158), and SG E (roots dividing in the apical one third) ( n = 138). Gp III consisted of only one SG F (teeth with three roots) ( n = 16). The groups were analyzed separately, their external root form and morphology were recorded. Root form was analyzed, and results were tabulated. This study was compared with other studies and statistically analyzed. Results: Gp II was common with an incidence of 54.74%. Gp I was the next most common with an incidence of 43.3%. Gp III was the least common with an incidence of 1.94%. The number and distribution of roots was also computed. Six types of root form were identified (Type [Ty] A = 30.65%, Ty B = 12.65%, Ty C = 18.73%, Ty D = 19.22%, Ty E = 16.78%, and Ty F = 1.94%). Conclusion: Awareness and assessment of root form, number preoperatively with regard to specific populations before initiation will pave way for successful outcome of therapy.

Aim: This study aims to compare intraradicular smear layer removal efficacy of different concentrations of glycolic acid (GA), 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and 10% citric acid (CA) as final rinses in the canals of curved mesial root of mandibular first molars using the specific irrigant protocols. Materials and Methods: Fifty-eight mandibular first permanent molars with 15°–30° of curvature of the mesial roots were selected, standardized, mesiobuccal canal prepared using the rotary instrumentation. Sodium hypochlorite was used as initial rinse solution (8 ml). The samples were divided into control (n = 5) (I – Normal saline and II – 17% EDTA) and experimental groups (n = 8) (Groups III, IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII) based on the type of final rinse solution (5 ml) used, i.e. 2.5% GA, 5% GA, 10% GA, 17% GA, 37% GA, and 10% CA. Samples were split buccolingually, dehydrated, splutter coated, and examined under a scanning electron microscope. Results: Group IV presented the least amounts of smear among the GA experimental groups at the apical, middle, and coronal one-thirds of the root canal with a mean value of 2.6 ± 1.012, and on comparison with Group II, the results were comparable, and no significant difference found statistically (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The use of GA as final rinse solution for biomechanical preparation during endodontic therapy seems promising. Further evaluation in a clinical setting is recommended.