Cone beam computed tomography evaluation of c-shaped canal morphology in mandibular premolar teeth

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and the morphology of c-shaped root canal(s) in mandibular premolars using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

CBCT images of 1095 mandibular premolars were examined at coronal, middle, and apical levels of the root canals. The type, the level, and the position (buccal or lingual) of the c-shaped anatomy were recorded. Absolute counts and percentages of different groups and subgroups of C-shape morphologies were calculated. The Chi-square test was used to compare the prevalence of C-shaped morphology between mandibular first and second premolars. The Z-test for proportions in independent groups was used to analyze the differences in mandibular C-shaped premolar proportions between location (left and right side) and tooth (first or second premolars) (p=0.05).

C-shaped root canal morphology was present in 44 teeth. The percentage of c-shaped morphologies was 6.9% and 1.6% in mandibular first and second premolars, respectively. Comparison of the first and the second premolars showed that C1 type (p=0.008) and C4b type (p=0.013) configurations are more common in the first premolars at the coronal level. In contrast, the C2 type configuration showed significantly higher prevalence in the second premolars (p=0.009). Additionally, the C4c type configuration was significantly frequent on the right premolars at the coronal level (p=0.038).

C-shape canal morphology is a rare but complex anatomic feature in mandibular premolars. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of this complex root canal anatomy for the success of endodontic treatment in mandibular premolar teeth.