Morphologic assessment of mandibular anterior teeth root canal using CBCT.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the number and morphological characteristics of the roots and root canals in mandibular anterior teeth, using cone beam computed tomography.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this cross-sectional study, 1053 anterior mandibular teeth from 200 CBCT scans were evaluated. The teeth were completely developed and should have had no fillings in the root or crown. The teeth were investigated in terms of the number of roots and root canals, the location of the apical foramen, the distance of the apical foramen to the anatomical apex, root length, crown length, dilacerations and the type of canals according to Vertucci's classification.

RESULTS: 87.9% of teeth had one root canal and of all of the teeth, three canines (0.3%) were found that had two roots. In 80.3% (n: 848) of cases the foramen apical location was central, then the buccal (9.3%), lingual (3.9%), distal (3.8%), and mesial (2.7%). The type of root canals, according to Vertucci's classification, with respect to prevalence, included type I (88.2%), type III (8.1%), type II (3.3%), type V (0.3%), and type VI (0.1%), respectively. In terms of the characteristics investigated, bilateral symmetry was observed. Dilaceration was not seen in any of the teeth.

CONCLUSION: The root canal morphology of mandibular anterior teeth has great diversity that may differ between different races, and should be considered by all dentists in order to achieve the best dental treatment.