Root Canal Configurations and Morphological Variations in Maxillary and Mandibular Second Molars in a Pakistani Population.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the dental morphology and root canal anatomy of maxillary and mandibular second molars in Pakistani population living in Hyderabad.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, from April to May 2023.

METHODOLOGY: This study analysed the number of roots, root canal configurations, and frequency of C-shaped root canals and their configuration assessment. The data was obtained from Cone Beam Computerised Tomography (CBCT) records sourced from the Department of Radiology at Advanced Dental Care Centre of LUMHS.

RESULTS: Two-rooted maxillary second molar was present in 10.6% of teeth, while 5.3% were single-rooted. Among mandibular second molars, 6.8% had one root, while 2.3% had three. The maxillary second molar mesiobuccal roots were Type I in 47.7% cases. The maxillary second molars had C1-shaped canals in 3.8% of cases. The study revealed that 10.6% of mandibular second molars had C-shaped canals, 3.0% were C1, 6.8% C3a, and 0.8% C4. A minority of patients had palatal morphology with two roots (MP and DP) and Type 1 canal structure, while a subset had both MP and DP canals.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of radix in mandibular second molars was found to be relatively infrequent. The prevalent root canal configurations were Type I in the mesiobuccal and palatal roots and Type IV in the mesial root of mandibular second molars. A noteworthy correlation was detected between the molar type characterised by a single root and the existence of a C-shaped canal in the female population.

KEY WORDS: CBCT, Dental anatomy, Gender, Root canal, Morphology, Pakistani population.