ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the morphology of maxillary lateral incisors (MxLI) using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The root canal configurations (RCC) of maxillary lateral incisors (MxLI) of a mixed Swiss-German population were examined using micro-CT, 3D imaging, and a 4-digit system code indicating the main root canal from coronal to apical thirds and the main foramina number. RESULTS: The most frequently observed RCC of MxLI were 1-1-1/1 (Vertucci I/Ve I, 80.0%), 1-1-2/2 (Ve V, 7.3%), 1-2-1/1 (Ve III, 6.4%), 2-1-1/1 (Ve II, 1.8%), and 1-1-1/2 (1.8%)(n = 110). Three additional RCC were observed less frequently (0.9%). The MxLI showed one physiological foramen in 89.1%, two in 9.1%, and seldom three (1.8%). Most accessory canals were identified in the apical third of a root (20.0%), and no accessory canals in 72.7% of the samples. CONCLUSIONS: Detailed information on the internal morphology of MxLI of a Swiss-German population is given. The most frequently observed RCC of MxLI is 1-1-1/1 (Ve I). However, accessory canals may occur in all apical thirds, and 20% of all teeth investigated showed a challenging RCC for clinical treatment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study offers clinicians comprehensive data on MxLI morphology, emphasizing the significance of understanding varied RCC and accessory canal presence for improving root canal treatment outcomes. Over 25% of teeth exhibited complex RCC or accessory canals, influencing decisions during root canal treatment.
Subject(s)
Imaging, Three-Dimensional , Incisor , Maxilla , X-Ray Microtomography , Humans , Incisor/diagnostic imaging , Maxilla/diagnostic imaging , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Female , Male , Dental Pulp Cavity/diagnostic imaging , Dental Pulp Cavity/anatomy & histology , Switzerland , Germany , AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study assessed the internal morphology of maxillary canines (MxC) through a systematic review of existing literature. METHODS: Research articles up to June 2024 were retrieved from five electronic databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, Embase, Scopus, LILACS, and Cochrane). Predefined search terms and keywords were used, and potential studies were identified by cross-referencing and bibliographies of the selected articles reviewed. RESULTS: Two hundred studies were identified, 73 duplicates were removed, 127 records were screened, and 113 were removed after consultation of title and abstract. After full-text consultation and hand searching, finally 22 studies were included. Using the method for describing the root canal configuration (RCC) of Briseño Marroquín et al. (2015) and Vertucci (Ve) (1984), the most frequently reported RCC of MxC were 1-1-1/1 (Ve I, 75.4-100%), 2-2-1/1 (Ve II, 0.1-20%), 1-2-1/1 (Ve III, 0.1-11.6%), 2-2-2/2 (Ve IV, 0.1-0.4%), 1-1-2/2 (Ve V, 0.1-2.4%), 2-1-2/2 (Ve VI, 0.5-1.2%), and 1-2-1/2 (Ve VII, 0.1-0.2%). The meta-analysis of six studies (Europe/Asia) showed that a significantly higher number of RCC of 2-2-1/1 (Ve II) (OR [95%CI] = 1.34 [0.53, 3.41]), 1-2-1/1 (Ve III) (OR [95%CI] = 2.07 [1.01, 4.26]), and 1-1-2/2 (Ve V) (OR [95%CI] = 2.93 [1.07, 8.07]), were observed in males, and 2-2-2/2 (Ve IV) (OR [95%CI] = 0.08 [0.00, 4.00]) in females. No sex differences in the RCC of 1-1-1/1 (Ve I) and 1-2-1/2 (Ve VII) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Cone beam computed tomography is the most frequently used method for research on the RCC of MxC. Despite the high prevalence of type 1-1-1/1 (Ve I) RCC in MxC, clinicians should remain vigilant for more complex and sex-differentiated patterns in up to 25% of cases to prevent endodontic treatment complications or failures.