Assessment of the Prevalence of Third Roots and Canals in Maxillary Premolars by Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in Isfahan

Use of the CBCT technique to determine root morphology minimizes the rate of treatment failure and adverse effects, such as gouging and perforations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of third roots and canals in maxillary premolars using the CBCT technique. Materials &

This descriptive/analytical study was performed on 120 CBCT images of patients referring to the Radiology Department of Azad University of Isfahan. Demographic characteristics of patients (age, sex and jaw side) and the number of roots and canals were studied and recorded. Data were analyzed with Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests using SPSS 20 (α = 0.05).

In maxillary first premolar teeth, 31.7% of the teeth were single-rooted, 67.1% were two-rooted and 3.1% were three-rooted. In the second maxillary premolars, 94.2% had one root and 5.8% had two roots. In the first maxillary premolar teeth, 9.2% had one root canal, 95.2% had two root canals and 1.7% had three root canals. In the second maxillary premolar teeth, 74.6% had one root canal, 25% had two root canals and 0.4% had three root canals. There were no significant differences between the number of root canals and roots in maxillary first and second premolar teeth between the left and right sides (p value > 0.05). There were no significant differences between the number of root canals and roots in the first and second premolar teeth between the left and right sides and between the male and female subjects (p value > 0.05). The number of roots and canals of maxillary second premolar teeth on both the left and right sides was significantly higher in men than in women (p value < 0.05).

Three roots and three canals are very rare in the maxillary first and second premolars. However, it is necessary for each dentist to be aware of the possibility of excess roots and root canals in maxillary first and second premolars.