Study of root canals and their configuration in buccal roots of maxillary first permanent molar

The present in-vitro study was undertaken to understand root canals and their configuration in buccal roots of maxillary first permanent molar. Seventy five teeth were studied by the radiographic method and 78 teeth were studied by the decalcification method. Radiographically, in mesiobuccal root, 2 root canals were observed in 81.3% and 18.7% of the specimens in mesiodistal and bucco-lingual direction respectively. In 1.3% of the specimens, 3 root canals were seen in the mesiodistal direction. Radiographically, in distobuccal root, 2 root canals were seen in 9.3% and 1.3% of the specimens in mesiodistal and buccolingual direction respectively. By the decalcification method, 2 root canals were found in mesiobuccal root in 65.4% of the specimens; distobuccal root exhibited 1 canal in 100% of the specimens studied. The configuration (shape) of buccal root canals also varied in both radiological as well as decalcification methods Many specimens exhibited curved canals and in some specimens S-shaped canals were observed. It is concluded from this study that more attention should be directed towards searching for and locating the second root canal in the mesiobuccal root of maxillary first permanent molar.