C-Shaped Canal in Second Molar of Mandible among Cases of Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Tertiary Care Centres: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: C-shaped canal configuration is mostly found in the mandibular second molar. The morphological characteristic of a C-shaped canal is the presence of a fin or web connecting the individual canal, making it difficult for cleaning, shaping, and obturation. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of C-shaped canal in mandibular second molar among cases of Cone Beam Computed Tomography in tertiary care hospitals. Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of conservative dentistry and endodontics of tertiary care hospitals from 20th June 2020 to 20th December 2020 after receiving ethical approval from the Nepal Health Research Council on 19 June 2020. Cone-beam computed tomography images of 199 mandibular second molars with completely formed roots were used. Teeth with orthodontic braces, root resorption, root canal filling, and post were excluded from the study. The research was conducted taking a tooth as a unit. Convenience sampling was done. Statistical analysis was done by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: The prevalence of C-shaped canal according to this study is 25 (12.6%) (7.99-17.21 at 95% Confidence Interval). Conclusions: The findings of the study conclude that C-shaped configuration is quite frequent in mandibular second molar among cases of Cone Beam Computed Tomography. A careful pre-operative radiographic evaluation may be helpful for diagnosing C-shaped configuration prior to root canal treatment.

Evaluation of the Prevalence of C-Shaped Canal Configuration in Mandibular First and Second Molar Teeth with Cone Beam Computed Tomography in the Turkish Subpopulation: A Retrospective Study

“…[19][20][21][22] The prevalence of C-shaped canal variation varies between 4.6% and 14.32% in different populations such as Brazil, Portugal and Nepal except East Asian countries. 1,3,6,9,23,24 In the Turkish subpopulation, the prevalence of MSM teeth with C-shaped canal variation was reported as 10.7% by Sönmez Kaplan et al, 7.7% by Kaya Büyükbayram et al, 8.9% by Helvacioglu-Yigit and Sinanoglu and 4.1% by Duman et al 15,16,25,26 In our study, the prevalence of C-shaped canal configuration in MSMs was determined as 6.94%. This result is similar to the average of the prevalence values found in previous studies in Turkish society.…”

“…30 In the middle third of the root, Shemesh et al C2 and C3 configuration, Joshi et al and Nejaim et al C1 configuration, Sönmez Kaplan et al reported that the C2 configuration was the most prevalent. 1,9,16,23 We observed the most common configuration as C2 in the same region, but there was no statistically significant difference. Shemesh et al reported that the C1 configuration is common in the apical third of the root, while Joshi et al and Sönmez Kaplan et al stated that C2 and C4, C4 configurations are observed frequently, respectively.…”

“…In this study, C1 was the most common configuration in the coronal third of the root, consistent with the findings of previous researchers. 9,16,23,27,28 Besides, Amoroso-Silva et al evaluated MSMs with a Cshaped canal using micro-CT and found that the most common configurations in the cervical third of the root were C1 and C2. 30 In the middle third of the root, Shemesh et al C2 and C3 configuration, Joshi et al and Nejaim et al C1 configuration, Sönmez Kaplan et al reported that the C2 configuration was the most prevalent.…”

Incidence of C-shaped canals in mandibular second molars in patients visiting Rehman College of Dentistry, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan

“…12 Different populations show different incidence of C-shaped canals. 13 The differences can be due to location, sample size and morphological changes in oral mucosa. 14 The current study recorded C-shape canals to be 20 % in our populations.…”

Endodontic treatment of the maxillary first molar with palatal canal variations: A case report and review of literature

“…The most common root canal system of maxillary first molars was three roots with four canals[ 12 ]. The DB and palatal roots of maxillary first molars usually have only one root canal, while the MB root has two or more canals system[ 13 , 14 ]. MB2 canals are detected in 30%-95% individuals in different populations[ 15 , 16 ].…”