Root and canal morphology of maxillary first premolars in a Saudi population

The aim of this study was to determine the root and canal morphology of maxillary first premolars collected from an indigenous Saudi population.

A total of 246 extracted teeth were collected and washed immediately after extraction then stored in 10% formalin solution. The teeth were debrided then dehydrated with ascending concentrations of alcohol and cleared by immersion in methyl salicylate. Visual and radiographic examinations were done to determine the number of roots and canals, and the teeth were transversely sectioned to examine the internal anatomy.

Forty-four teeth (17.9%) had one root, 199 (80.9%) had two roots, and three (1.2%) had three roots. The incidence of Type I canals (one canal) was 8.9% (22 teeth), 89.8% (221 teeth) had two canals (Type II and III), and 1.2% (three teeth) had three canals (Type IV).

This study showed a high incidence of two-rooted and two-canal maxillary first premolars in Saudis. Clinicians should be aware of the different variations in root morphology and canal configuration when performing an endodontic treatment.