Root canal anatomy of maxillary first molars in a Turkish population using cone-beam computed tomography

This study aimed to assess canal morphology of maxillary first molars by analyzing cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. A total of 324 maxillary first molars were collected from the Turkish population and scanned using the in vitro CBCT method. The number of roots and canals, root canal configuration, canal shape, the presence of a C-shaped canal, apical delta, and lateral canal, as well as the distance between radiographic and anatomic apices were examined. The majority of the samples (97.9%) had 3 separate roots; while the remaining teeth had two or four roots (1.5% and 0.6% respectively). CBCT results showed 2, 3, 4, and 5 root canals in 0.3%, 47.9%, 50.3% and 1.5% of the teeth, respectively. All distobuccal (DB) and palatal (P) roots had one canal. The mesiobuccal (MB) roots frequently showed a second mesiobuccal canal (MB2). The most common canal morphology in the MB roots was type I (33.1%), followed by type II and type III (29.0% and 9.8%, respectively). The P and DB roots commonly showed a type I canal configuration. C-shaped canals were rare. The mean distances between radiographic and anatomic apices in MB, DB, and P roots were 0.77 ± 0.45, 1.68 ± 0.9 and 0.91 ± 0.46 mm, respectively. The MB roots of maxillary first molars showed greater variations in their canal anatomy than other roots. These anatomical differences, potentially attributable to ethnic variations, should be considered when performing surgical or nonsurgical root canal treatments on maxillary molars.