Abstract
Introduction
The mandibular premolar C-shaped anatomy has been presented as a complex morphology
to be treated. The objective of this retrospective observational study was to evaluate
and characterize, in in vivo conditions, the incidence of these morphologies using cone-beam computed tomographic
(CBCT) technology.
Methods
Mandibular premolar CBCT samples were collected from a preexisting database. All teeth
were analyzed in 3 planes (axial, coronal, and sagittal), and the C-shape classification
was performed at 3 different axial levels (coronal, middle, and apical). C-shape presence
and configuration were recorded as well as the number of roots, the presence of a
radicular groove, and Vertucci classification. The Z test for proportions was used
to analyze the differences between independent groups. Intraobserver reliability was
tested using the Cohen kappa test.
Results
Two thousand twelve mandibular premolars were included in this study. A prevalence
of C-shaped morphologies was noted in 2.3% and 0.6% of mandibular first and second
premolars, respectively. This clinical condition was mostly unilateral. The C-shaped
configuration (C1 and C2) was found mainly in the middle axial level. Its presence
was uncommon in the apical level and null in the coronal level; 61.5% of all mandibular
first premolar C shapes were identified in Vertucci type V roots. Differences were
observed among sex, teeth, and Vertucci root configuration at P < .05.
Conclusions
Although the mandibular premolar C-shaped anatomy has a low prevalence ratio, a clinician
should be aware of its existence, mainly when treating roots with Vertucci type V
configuration. The prevalence was statistically higher in first premolars and males.
Key Words
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to Journal of EndodonticsAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
References
- Prevalence of apical periodontitis in endodontically treated premolars and molars with untreated canals: a cone-beam computed tomography study.J Endod. 2016; 42: 538-541
- The C-shaped root canal configuration: a review.J Endod. 2007; 33: 517-523
- Aetiology, incidence and morphology of the C-shaped root canal system and its impact on clinical endodontics.Int Endod J. 2014; 47: 1012-1033
- Prevalence and characteristics of the maxillary C-shaped molar.J Endod. 2016; 42: 383-389
- Micro-CT evaluation of C-shaped mandibular first premolars in a Brazilian subpopulation.Int Endod J. 2015; 48: 807-813
- Root canal anatomy of the human permanent teeth.Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1984; 58: 589-599
- Root canal systems in mandibular first premolars with C-shaped root canal configurations. Part I: microcomputed tomography mapping of the radicular groove and associated root canal cross-sections.J Endod. 2008; 34: 1337-1341
- A cone-beam computed tomography study of the root canal morphology of mandibular first premolars and the location of root canal orifices and apical foramina in a Chinese subpopulation.J Endod. 2013; 39: 435-438
- Cone-beam computed tomography study of root and canal morphology of mandibular premolars in a western Chinese population.BMC Med Imaging. 2012; 12: 18
- Outcome of primary root canal treatment: systematic review of the literature – part 2. Influence of clinical factors.Int Endod J. 2008; 41: 6-31
- Root canal morphology of mandibular first premolars in an Indian population: a laboratory study.Int Endod J. 2009; 42: 54-58
- Assessment of root canal morphology of mandibular first premolars in the Indian population using spiral computed tomography: an in vitro study.Indian J Dent Res. 2010; 21: 169-173
- Root canal configuration of mandibular first and second premolars in an Iranian population.J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects. 2007; 1: 59-64
- Mandibular premolars: aberrations in pulp space morphology.Indian J Dent Res. 1994; 5: 9-14
- Complicated root canal morphology of mandibular first premolar in a Chinese population using the cross section method.J Endod. 2006; 32: 932-936
- Root canal configuration of the mandibular first premolar.J Endod. 1992; 18: 505-508
- Combined endodontic therapy and intentional replantation for the treatment of palatogingival groove.J Endod. 2016; 42: 324-328
- C-shaped root canal system in mandibular second molars in a Chinese population evaluated by cone-beam computed tomography.Int Endod J. 2011; 44: 857-862
- Use of cone-beam computed tomography to evaluate C-shaped root canal systems in mandibular second molars in a Turkish subpopulation: a retrospective study.Int Endod J. 2013; 46: 1032-1038
- Use of cone beam computed tomography in endodontics.Int J Dent. 2009; 2009: 634567
- Evaluation of root canal configuration of mandibular molars in a Brazilian population by using cone-beam computed tomography: an in vivo study.J Endod. 2013; 39: 849-852
Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 04, 2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 American Association of Endodontists.
