Analysis of root and root canal morphology of maxillary and mandibular molars in a Caucasian population: CBCT study in vivo

Aim: To investigate the root and canal morphology of maxillary and mandibular permanent molar teeth in a Caucasian population by using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Methods: A total of 596 permanent molars were included. The number of roots, the number of canals per root and the root canal configurations according to the method of Vertucci were recorded. Results: Almost all of maxillary first molars (95.7%) had three separate roots; however, 40.3% of mesiobuccal roots had two canals (MB2). Of 157 maxillary second molars, 88.5% had three roots. Among the mesiobuccal roots, 15.1% had two canals. The majority of mandibular molars (100% of first molars, 89.4% of second molars) had two separate roots. Most distal roots had a simple type I configuration, whereas mesial roots had more complex canal systems, with more than one canal. Conclusions: CBCT is an efficient method of studying root canal systems. (C) 2013 Societa` Italiana di Endodonzia. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.