The best radiographic method for determining root canal morphology in mandibular first premolars: A study of Chinese descendants in Taiwan

Abstract

Background/purpose There is large variation in root canal morphology and undetected canals and incomplete instrumentation are reasons for root canal treatment failure. The purpose of this study was to determine the best radiographic method for determining root canal morphology in mandibular first premolars in Chinese descendants in Taiwan. Materials and methods Mandibular first premolars extracted due to caries, periodontal diseases, trauma, or for orthodontic reasons were used. Four indices were examined: (1) root canal bifurcation observed in the buccolingual view; (2) root canal continuity in the buccolingual view; (3) double root outline in the buccolingual view; and (4) Vertucci canal classification in the mesiodistal view. Results A total of 82 left and right mandibular first premolars were included, a complicated root canal was confirmed in 38 (46.3%) by cross-sectional imaging and a single root canal was found in 44 (53.7%). Bifurcation identified on the mesiodistal view exhibited the highest sensitivity (94.7%) and second highest specificity (88.6%) for identifying a complicated root canal; however, this view is not possible to obtain clinically. Canal bifurcation on the buccolingual view was the most specific (93.2%), but had the lowest sensitivity (73.7%). Canal continuity on the buccolingual view had a sensitivity of 94.7%, and specificity of 70.5%. Conclusion Combined X-ray analyses, such as performing the buccolingual view for identification of canal bifurcation and canal continuity, may increase the accuracy of identifying complex root canal morphology.

Root Canal Morphology of the Mandibular First Premolars in a Yucatecan Population Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: An in vitro Study

“…The results indicate that Vertucci's Type V was the second most frequent morphology (18.1 %) similar to other studies that presented frequencies of 9.3 % to 25.6 % (Vertucci;Lu et al;Greco-Machado et al, 2009;Liu et al;Yang et al;Chen et al;Sun et al;Martins et al;Pedemonte et al). Only Singh & Pawar and Sert & Bayirli reported second higher frequencies of Type IV (10.0 %) and Type II (18.5 %) in patients from India and Turkey, respectively.…”

“…Several studies have focused on root and root canal morphology (Gu et al, 2013a;Singh & Pawar, 2014;Sun et al, 2016;Cucina & Navarro, 2016;Martins et al, 2017), but most did not consider the ethnic/genetic origin of the population. Root type and root canal morphology depend on the population's ethnicity, and it is critical to consider this feature for better root canal treatment (Trope et al, 1986).…”

“…In general, the frequencies of Type I are very variable worldwide, ranging from 53.7 % to 88.5 % (Vertucci; Trope et al; Sert & Bayirli, 2004;Lu et al, 2006;Greco-Machado et al, 2009;Liu et al, 2013;Yang et al, 2013;Singh & Pawar;Chen et al, 2014;Sun et al;Martins et al;Pedemonte et al, 2017). Caucasoid (European) populations had the highest frequencies (Trope et al; Khedmat et al, 2010;Pedemonte et al), and Asian populations had the lowest (Liu et al; Sun et al).…”

Detection of Root Canal Anatomical Variations in Mandibular Premolars in an Egyptian Population

“…13 teeth out of the 14 teeth miss-identified by periapical radiography having extra non-existing canal presented external radicular grooves on their root surfaces with varying degrees of invagination. Radicular grooves were miss-identified as canals by periapical radiography and this was in agreement with reports by Chen et al (19), and Sun et al (20).…”

Interpretation of Root Canal Anatomy of Maxillary and Mandibular Permanent Canines in Saudi Subpopulation: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Study

“…Researchers have used various methods and techniques to assess root canal morphology, including serial sectioning [ 3 , 4 ], canal staining and clearing [ 5 , 6 ], conventional and digital radiographic examination [ 7 ], and microcomputed tomography ( µ CT) [ 8 ]. In the late 1990s, three-dimensional scans of the maxillofacial skeleton were developed and since that time, it has become available for dental offices [ 9 ].…”