Background/Aim. For successful endodontic therapy, it is necessary to know root morphology. Therefore, the aim of our study was to analyze root canal morphology and root canal length of permanent molars in a Serbian population, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods. The study included a total of 305 maxillary molars, and 280 mandibular molars receiving cone-beam computed tomography examination and determined root numbers, canal morphology according to Vertucci classification, and canal lengths. Results were correlated with sex and tooth location in the jaw. Results. The mesiobuccal roots of first maxillary molars showed Vertucci type I in 45.7%, followed by type II in 29% of cases. For the second molar, Vertucci type I was found in 60.5% of cases in mesiobuccal canals. Palatal and distobuccal canals mostly presented Vertucci type I configuration. The mesial roots of mandibular molars had the highest frequency of two canals with Vertucci type IV as the most frequent for the first molar, and Vertucci type II for the second molar. Distal roots most commonly had one canal in both molars. Palatal canal length was the highest in maxillary first molars, with the mean value of 20.62 mm, while in second molars, the highest length value was for the mesiobuccal canal (20.09 mm). In both mandibular molars the mesial root canal was the longest one. Differences were found according to sex and tooth location in the jaw. Conclusion. Mesiobuccal roots of maxillary first molars had two canals; it was more frequently compared to second molars. Mesial roots of mandibular molars showed same frequency of two canals, and diversity in Vertucci types. Male patients tended to have higher complexity of root canal morphology compared to that of females. CBCT can improve understanding of the root canal morphology.

Th e aim of this study is to describe the morphological characteristics, the number of roots and number of root canals of mandibular central incisors, lateral incisors and canines, and the relationship of these characteristics with the sex and the jaw side where the tooth is located, in the Serbian population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).CBCT images of a total of 902 mandible front teeth, including 296 central incisors, 294 lateral incisors and 312 canines were analyzed in the database. For assessing the morphology of the root canal, Vertucci method of classifi cation was used.Central incisors had two canals in 27%, similar as lateral incisor which had two canals in 26.5%. Mandibular canines had two canals in 7.1% and there was a signifi cant diff erence between genders. Th e most prevalent root canal confi guration type in all mandibular anterior teeth was type I. In the groups of mandibular incisors with two root canals the most common was type III. In the group of mandibular canines with two root canals, type V had the greatest occurrence.Most mandibular anterior teeth had one root canal. Two root canals were found in 27% of the mandibular incisors. Th ere is a signifi cant diff erence in root morphology between genders. It is important for dental practitioner to expect different morphological variations when performing endodontic treatment. More studies are needed to further defi ne morphological characteristics of roots of mandibular anterior teeth in Serbian population. SAŽETAKCilj ove studije je da koristeći komjuterizovanu tomografi ju konusnog zraka (CBCT) opiše morfološke karakteristike, broj korena i korenskih kanala centralnih i lateralnih sekutića i očnjaka donje vilice u srpskoj populaciji, kao i da utvrdi korelaciju ovih karakteristika sa polom i stranom vilice u kojoj je zub lokalizovan.CBCT snimci 902 prednja zuba donje vilice, uključujući 296 centralnih i 294 lateralnih sekutića i 312 očnjaka su analizirani iz baze podataka. Za procenu mofologije korenskog kanala upotrebljen je Vertučijev metod klasifi kacije.Centralni sekutići su imali dva kanala u 27% slučajeva, slično kao i lateralni sekutići koji su imali dva kanala u 26,5% slučajeva. Očnjaci su imali dva kanala u 7,1% slučajeva, pri čemu je bilo značajnih razlika između polova. Preovlađujući tip konfi guracije korenskog kanala svih prednjih zuba donje vilice je bio tip I. U grupi sekutića koji su imali dva kanala najčešći tip konfi guracije je bio tip III. U grupi očnjaka koji su imali dva kanala preovladavao je tip V.Većina prednjih zuba donje vilice je imala jedan korenski kanal. Dva korenska kanala su pronađena u 27% slučajeva kod sekutića. Postoji značajna razlika u morfologiji korena između polova. Za stomatologa je važno da očekuje različite morfološke varijacije tokom izvođenja endodonskih zahvata. Potrebno je sprovesti više studija za dalje defi nisanje morfoloških karakteristika korena prednjih zuba donje vilice u srpskoj populaciji.

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of oval-shaped root canals at the apical, medial and coronal cross sections of all tooth groups using CBCT and image analysis software. Based on the diameter values, the long/short diameter ratio was calculated and each root canal was classified regarding its shape. Oval-shaped canals were present in 45% at the apical, 50% at the medial and 56% at the coronal level of all teeth. The mandibular central incisors presented oval canals in 24%, long oval in 28% and flat in 2% at the apical level. Mandibular molars showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in the distribution of oval-shaped canals between cross-sectional levels. Analysis of CBCT scans with an image analysis software could be a reliable and reproducible method and a valuable tool for objective determination of root canal shape in further research.

According to correlations between lead concentration and the number of extracted teeth, number of carious lesions and non-carious lesions found in the patients living in Pancevo, one possible cause of tooth loss and hard dental tissue damage could be a long-term environmental exposure to lead.

Introduction. The aim of this study was to establish the number of roots and present the root canal configuration in the maxillary and mandibular premolar teeth, and evaluate the relations among these characteristics with gender and teeth position in the Serbian population using cone-beam computed tomography. Material and Methods. Cone-beam computed tomography images of 570 teeth of 150 patients were evaluated. Teeth were classified into the following groups: maxillary first premolars, maxillary second premolars, mandibular first premolars and mandibular second premolars, and the number of roots and root canals per tooth, whereas root canal configurations were examined along with the tooth position and patients' gender. The root canal configuration was classified using Vertucci's classification. Statistical significance was obtained using Chi square test. Results. In maxillary first premolars, two roots (53.5%) and two root canals (84.5%) were the most prevalent, as well as type IV configuration (58.9%). In maxillary second premolars, most teeth had one root (88.1%) and one root canal (59.6%). In regard to gender, complex configurations with multiple canals were more prevalent in males. Higher incidence of type IV configuration in maxillary first premolars was present on the right side of the jaw (70.2%). Most mandibular first premolars had one root (98.5%). In mandibular second premolar, all teeth had one root and most had type I configuration (96.2%). Males showed higher incidence of two canals in mandibular first premolars. Conclusion. Cone-beam computed tomography is a useful tool for obtaining valuable information on root canal morphology of premolar teeth. Patient's gender should be considered when performing the preoperative assessment of endodontic treatment.