DETERMINATION OF NUMBER AND CONFIGURATION OF CANALS IN PERMANENT LOWER FIRST MOLAR BY CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

• Main Authors: Tehmina Marwat, Neelofar Nausheen, Umar Nasir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Khyber Medical University 2019-03-01
• Series: Khyber Medical University Journal
• Subjects: Molar (MeSH); Cone Beam Computed Tomography (MeSH); Canal Configuration (MeSH)
• Online Access: https://www.kmuj.kmu.edu.pk/article/view/18757
• ISSN: 2305-2643; 2305-2651

OBJECTIVE: To determine the number and configuration of canals in permanent lower first molar by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at Sardar Begum Dental College, Peshawar, using 334 good quality CBCT images of mandibular first molar with intact pulp, closed apices from both genders using previous records. CBCT images were analyzed using Scanora software version 3D. All the images were studied at axial and coronal planes by continuously moving the tool bar from the floor of pulp chamber to root apices. RESULTS: Out of 334 patients, 210 (62.9%) were males and 124 (37.1%) were females. Three-canals were the most frequent (n=167; 50%) canals in permanent lower first molar followed by four-canals (n=141; 42.2%) and two-canals (n=26; 7.8%). In males, four-canals pattern was most common (51.4%) while in females three-canals pattern was most frequent (57.3%) [P=0.000]. Type II was the common (n=203; 60.78%) configuration in mesial root of mandibular first permanent molar followed by type IV (n=116; 34.7%) and type I (n=15; 4.5%). In distal root of mandibular first permanent molar, 180 (53.9%) cases had type I canal configuration followed by type IV (n=92; 27.5%) and type II (n=62; 18.6%). Gender stratified data was significant for distal root while insignificant for mesial root. CONCLUSION: Males had common patterns of four-canals while females had three-canals. Canal configuration in mesial root was type II followed by type IV and distal root was type I followed by type IV and II.