[Study on root canal variation of maxillary premolar and its relationship to maxillary sinus by cone-beam CT]

To investigate the anatomic morphology of root and root canal system of maxillary premolars by using cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT), in order to provide imaging basis for clinical treatment.

CB CT images of 720 patients (aged from 18 to 67 years) were included. They were divided into 5 groups according to their ages：18-28，29-38，39-48，49-58 and＞58 years old . The number of roots and root canals, root canal configuration, the distance between two orifices,root canal curvature,distance from apex to maxillary sinus,symmetry of the bilateral teeth and its relationship to age changes were analyzed statistically using SPSS21.0 software package.

Double root canal of the first maxillary premolar accounted the most (89.72%), and type IV was the frequent type (57.78%) . The incidence of single root canal in the second maxillary premolar (53.06%) was slightly higher than double root canal (46.94%). Root canal type was mainly type I (53.06%). There was symmetrical distribution in the bilateral root and root canals of maxillary premolars. The detection rate of the single root canal was changed with age, and the distance between the two orifice was closely related to the root morphology. The detection rate of root curvature in maxillary first and second premolar was 32.53% and 21.50% in buccolingual direction. There was a certain proportion of S-type complex root canal.16.69% of the maxillary second premolar and maxillary sinus were closely related (d≤0.05 mm).

The anatomical structure of root and root canal is complicated .The prevalence of the bilateral teeth presents symmetry and age-related changes.The curvature of root canal is complex, and the roots are closely related to maxillary sinus.