Root canal morphology and symmetry of mandibular second premolars using cone-beam computed tomography

The current study aims to investigate the morphology and symmetry of root canals of mandibular second premolar teeth via Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) among a sample of the Saudi population.

A total of 1200 CBCT images were examined in the study. The number of roots in the mandibular second premolars was identified, and canal configurations were classified according to Vertucci classification. Bilateral symmetry and association between gender and number of roots and root canal configuration were investigated using a chi-square test was utilized for data analysis and p value was set at 0.05 for significance.

Of the total 2400 Mandibular second premolars, 98.33% were single rooted and 1.67% were double rooted. The prevalence of double roots in females on the right side was significantly higher than that on the left side (p = 0.017), but the opposite was found among males. Only Type I and II canal configurations showed significant differences regarding gender and sides. 98.0% of teeth showed the symmetrical number of roots in both genders. The symmetry in canal configuration was 96.7% in males and 97.3% in females and 99.1% was Type I in both sides, 0.5% Type III, and 0.3% Type IV in both sides.

The root morphology of mandibular second premolars in the Saudi population demonstrated a high degree of variability. The vast majority of mandibular premolars have a single root with one canal and a low prevalence of two rooted teeth. Contralateral mandibular second premolars exhibited great symmetry of roots and root canal configuration.