Assessment of C-Shaped Canal Morphology in Mandibular and Maxillary Second Molars in an Iraqi Subpopulation Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Endodontic treatment is basically dependent on knowledge of the root canal anatomy. The goal of this study was to use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging to examine the C-shaped canal configuration of mandibular and maxillary second molars in an Iraqi subpopulation. The prevalence and configurations of C-shaped canals were evaluated in 368 mandibular second molars and 369 maxillary second molars using CBCT scans. The effects of gender, age, and unilateral/bilateral on the presence of C-shaped canals were investigated. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to determine the level of significance (p <= 0.05), and kappa value was used to check reliability of results of the research. In mandibular second molars, the prevalence of C-shaped canals was 17.4%. The prevalence was significantly higher in females (23%) than males (10.4%) using the chi-square test. There is no significant difference in the prevalence of C-shaped canal depending on age and tooth position. The C2 type was the most common (56.3%). This prevalence did not differ with gender, age, or tooth position. In maxillary second molars, C-shaped canals were present in 7.9%. Type I (subtype C) (fusion of 2 root canals MB-DB) was the most common type of fused root (65.5%). There is no significant difference in the prevalence of C-shaped canal depending on the type of fused root, age, and tooth position. The majority of C-shaped canals in mandibular second molars were bilateral in both genders, but unilateral presence was more common in maxillary second molars in both genders. Within the limits of this study, C-shaped canals were found to be more common in mandibular second molars than in maxillary second molars in an Iraqi subpopulation.

Automated summary

Endodontic treatment depends on knowledge of root canal anatomy. This study used CBCT imaging to examine the prevalence and configurations of C-shaped canals in mandibular and maxillary second molars in an Iraqi subpopulation. The prevalence of C-shaped canals was 17.4% in mandibular second molars and 7.9% in maxillary second molars. Gender had a significant impact on the prevalence in mandibular molars, while age and tooth position did not. In maxillary molars, there was no significant difference in the prevalence based on age, tooth position, and type of fused root.