Evaluation of root and root canal morphology of elderly Korean patients maxillary molarsusing cone-beam computed tomography / 대한치과보철학회지

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of the second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal, root fusion, and C-shaped root canal configuration in the Koreanmaxillary first (MM1) and second (MM2) molars by analyzing cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images. Materials and methods: Patients undergoing presurgicalCBCT examination were included in the current study. The CBCT images of 1498 MM1 and 1742 MM2 from 1658 Korean patients were assessed to determine the incidenceof a MB2 canal, the types of canal configurations, root fusion, and C-shaped root canal configurations. Further, the correlations between the incidence of MB2 canaland age, gender, and tooth position were analyzed. Results: The study population was relatively old (mean age 66.1 years). The percentage of MB2 canals in MB roots was60.1% and 28.0% in MM1 and MM2, respectively, with the most common configurations being Weine type III in MM1 and Weine type II in MM2. Additionally, the frequencyof a MB2 canal decreased with age in both molars and was higher in men than in women in the MM1 only. Furthermore, root fusion was present in 2.3% and 26.2% of theMM1 and MM2, respectively, whereas C-shaped root canals were observed in 0.4% and 2.7% of the MM1 and MM2, respectively. Conclusion: The MB2 canal was foundmore frequently in the MM1, whereas root fusion and C-shaped root canals were both seen more frequently in the MM2. (J Korean Acad Prosthodont 2020;5895-102)