Root anatomy and canal configuration of human permanent maxillary third molar - a systematic review

Knowledge of the configuration of root canals is essential for the success of endodontic treatment. The main aim of this systematic review was to determine the number of roots and the number of root canals in maxillary third molars, as well as where possible to determine the Vertucci classification. This systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement guidelines. The study protocol was registered and approved on PROSPERO, the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (Reg. No: CRD42022366444), before the start of the study. 12 studies were included in the analysis, differing in sample origin and methodology. The combined studies were analysed based on the number of roots, the number of canals, and the root canal configurations, and the findings were compared to those of other international studies. Analysing the available research results regarding the root anatomy and canal configuration of the third maxillary molar, most commonly maxillary third molars had three roots (59.0%). Single-rooted teeth (24.2%) or double-rooted teeth (13.8%) were less common. In addition, we observed that maxillary third molars typically possessed three root canals (47.28%) and the MB (mesiobuccal), DB (distobuccal), and P (palatal) canals most often showed Vertucci Type I (59.53%, 95.83% and 98.61%, respectively) in three-rooted form. Due to the small number of available studies, it is necessary to conduct further analyses taking into account demographic and ethnic differences that may affect the anatomical and morphological structure of the teeth.