Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the middle mesial canal (MMC) and radix entomolaris (RE) in mandibular rst permanent molars in a western Chinese population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: A total of 1174 CBCT images of the mandibular rst molars were collected from West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University. The following information was recorded and evaluated: the detection rate and location of the MMC and RE, the curvature of the RE, the canal con guration and bilateral symmetry. Results: The detection rates of the MMC and RE were 3.41% and 25.04%, respectively, as calculated by individuals, and 1.79% and 22.15%, respectively, as calculated by total teeth. The average curvature in the buccolingual (BL) orientation (40.63±14.3 9°) was signi cantly larger than that in the mesiodistal (MD)orientation (17.64±7.8 2°) (p<0.05). Of 587 patients, 71.72% (421/587) had bilateral symmetry according to the root canal morphology. The incidence of three-rooted mandibular rst molars was higher in males than in females, while the incidence of two-rooted mandibular rst molars was higher in females than in males. Conclusions: Our results showed that the RE could be detected in almost 1/4 of the western Chinese population; thus, RE detection requires special attention and careful assessment in endodontic treatment.

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Objective Knowledge of internal anatomy of the teeth is of great importance in endodontics, leading to success in root canal therapy (RCT). The aim of this study was to assess the root anatomy and canal configuration of maxillary molars in a Brazilian subpopulation using tomographic images using a voxel size of 125 μm. Materials and Methods This in vivo retrospective study assessed 651 cone-beam computed tomographic scans from 328 maxillary first molars and 323 maxillary second molars. The images were assessed by two endodontists and an oral radiologist. Only permanent molars with fully developed roots and with no signs of RCT were included. Results Maxillary first and second molars presented three separated roots in 99.39 and 90.09% of the cases, respectively. The presence of mesiolingual canals in the mesiobuccal roots was 64.22% for maxillary first molars and 33.56% for maxillary second molars. Distobuccal canals in the maxillary first and second molars presented Vertucci's Type I configuration in 99.39 and 99.66%, respectively, and palatal canals in the maxillary first and second molars presented Vertucci's Type I configuration in 99.69 and 99.68%, respectively. Maxillary second molars were more subjected to anatomical variations than first molars. Female patients presented higher prevalence of mesiolingual canals in the maxillary second molars. Conclusions The most prevalent morphology in the maxillary first and second molars was three root canals. The presence of only one or two roots is more likely to occur in the maxillary second molars than in the maxillary first molars. Mesiolingual canals in mesiobuccal roots are more frequent in the maxillary first molars than in the maxillary second molars, and the occurrence of two distobuccal or two palatal canals is rare.

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Aim:To determine the current trends in technological armamentarium and endodontic treatment among Brazilian endodontists. Methods: A total of 279 endodontists answered a web-based survey questionnaire about their region of activity in Brazil and years as a specialist, average number of endodontic cases treated per month, number of visits to complete the treatment, use of rubber dam for isolation, type of irrigant, obturation technique and device used for this purpose, temporary filling materials, and greater difficulty encountered during treatment and technological armamentarium. A descriptive analysis, expressed in terms of frequency and percentage, was performed and the data were correlated using the chi-square test (p<0.05). Results: Most of the respondents had up to 10 years as specialists. More than 50% of endodontists preferred to complete the endodontic treatment in a single visit. Ninety-nine percent of endodontists used rubber dam for isolation. NaOCl was the most widely used irrigant. Most of the respondents associated different techniques for root canal filling. Lateral condensation and Continuous wave of condensation were the isolated technique most reported. Filling devices (thermocompactors) were used by 53% of endodontists. Glass ionomer was the preferred temporary filling material. The answers for the use of technological armamentarium revealing that 94% of endodontists used an apex locator; 67.38% utilized magnification (loupe: 23.66%; microscope: 35.48%; microscope and loupe: 8.24%); 58% reported to digital radiography; and 47.31% used computed tomography as a complementary tool. About mechanized instrumentation, 44.44% endodontists employed rotary and reciprocating files. The difficulties encountered during endodontic treatment were classified as preparation > access > obturation > anesthesia > isolation. Conclusions: Most endodontists have implemented new technologies, such as mechanical instrumentation, apex locators, magnification, digital radiography, computed tomography, ultrasound, and obturation tools, in their clinical practice.