Revisiting Premolars Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Analysis and Classifying Their Roots and Root Canal...

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Dental Anatomy
• Radiology

Background:

• Root canal morphology significantly influences endodontic treatment success.
• Existing classification systems, like Vertucci's, may not fully capture complex root canal anatomy.
• CBCT imaging provides detailed three-dimensional visualization of dental structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the internal morphology of premolars using the Vertucci classification and a recent classification system.
• To analyze root canal variations in the Gujarat population utilizing CBCT.
• To evaluate the applicability of the new classification system in describing premolar root canal anatomy.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 537 CBCT images from Gujarat.
• Classification of root canal morphology using both the Vertucci and Ahmed et al. systems.
• Statistical analysis employing Fisher's exact test and Chi-square test.

Main Results:

• All analyzed premolars exhibited diverse canal configurations.
• Maxillary first premolars frequently showed Vertucci type IV, while second premolars commonly presented as Type I and IV.
• The new system identified '2N B1 P1' as common in maxillary first premolars, and '1 N1' in mandibular premolars, which were predominantly single-rooted.

Conclusions:

• Premolars in the Gujarat subpopulation display a wide spectrum of root canal anatomical variations.
• Awareness of these variations is crucial for successful endodontic treatment.
• The new classification system provides a more accurate and practical description of root and canal morphology compared to the Vertucci classification.