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Published on: September 8, 2023
Prevalence of C-shaped canal system in mandibular first and second molars in a Saudi population assessed via cone
Hussam Alfawaz1, Abdullah Alqedairi2, Abdulrahman K Alkhayyal3
1Endodontic Division, Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, P.O. Box 60169, Riyadh, 11545, Saudi Arabia. halfawaz1@ksu.edu.sa.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of the C-shaped root canal configuration, location of the longitudinal groove, sex differences, and unilateral/bilateral presence in mandibular first and second molars in a Saudi population using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Materials And Methods:
CBCT images for the mandibular first and second molars of 487 patients (a total of 529 first molars and 681 s molars) were evaluated. The teeth were assessed for the presence of C-shaped root canals according to Fan criteria. Subdivisions were also made according to sex, direction of the longitudinal groove, and unilateral/bilateral presence.
Results:
Only one C-shaped mandibular first molar was observed (0.19%), whereas 62 second molars (9.1%) exhibited C-shaped anatomy. Unilateral presence of the C-shaped root canal system was more common (53.85%). Female patients had a higher prevalence than males. Longitudinal grooves were most commonly found on the root lingual surface (58.1%).
Conclusions:
The prevalence of the C-shaped canal configuration in a Saudi Arabian population was 0.19% in the mandibular first molar and 9.1% in the mandibular second molar. Longitudinal groove prevalence was highest on the lingual surface. Women had a significantly higher prevalence of the C-shaped canal configuration than men. Patients with unilateral presence of the C-shaped canal configuration were more common than those with bilateral presence.
Clinical Relevance:
Tooth type, patient sex, and ethnicity can help clinicians predict the prevalence of the C-shaped canal system in mandibular molars.
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