Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A micro-computed tomography study of the root canal morphology of the mandibular first premolar in a population from southwestern China

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Clinical Oral Investigations Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the root canal morphology of mandibular first premolar teeth in a population from southwestern China by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).

Materials and methods

Human mandibular first premolars (115) were selected and prepared for micro-CT analysis with a slice thickness of 30 μm. Details of root canal orifices, canals, accessory canals, apical foramina–apical delta intercanal communication, loops and isthmuses, and mesial invagination were analyzed from reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) images.

Results

Canal patterns categorized according to the classification defined by Vertucci (Endod Top 10:3–29, 2005) as types I (65.2 %), III (2.6 %), V (22.6 %), and VII were identified (0.9 %). Accessory canals were present in 35.7 % of the samples and were predominantly located in the apical third of the root. A single apical foramen was observed in 50.4 % of the samples and two or three foramina in 28.7 % and 14.8 %, respectively. Apical delta was identified in 6.1 % of the samples and the prevalence of intercanal communication and loops was 3.5 % and 7 %, respectively. Mesial invagination of the root was identified in 27.8 % of the samples, the majority of which contained multiple canals.

Conclusions

The data obtained in this study revealed complex root morphology with high prevalence of multiple canals, more than half of which exhibited type I canal patterns.

Clinical relevance

Micro-CT was used as a noninvasive technique for 3D investigation of root canal morphology in the mandibular first premolars of a population from southwestern China. Furthermore, data obtained revealed complex anatomy of various types.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gomes BP, Rodrigues HH, Tancredo N (1996) The use of a modeling technique to investigate the root canal morphology of mandibular incisors. Int Endod J 29:29–36

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Fan B, Yang J, Gutmann JL, Fan M (2008) Root canal systems in mandibular first premolars with C-shaped root configurations. Part I: microcomputed tomography mapping of the radicular groove and associated root canal cross-sections. J Endod 34:1337–1341

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Calişkan MK, Pehlivan Y, Sepetçioğlu F, Türkün M, Tuncer SS (1995) Root canal morphology of human permanent teeth in a Turkish population. J Endod 21:200–204

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Neelakantan P, Subbarao C, Subbarao CV, Ravindranath M (2010) Root and canal morphology of mandibular second molars in an Indian population. J Endod 36:1319–1322

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Vertucci FJ, Anthony RL (1986) A scanning electron microscopic investigation of accessory foramina in the furcation and pulp chamber floor of molar teeth. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 62:319–326

    Google Scholar 

  6. Baisden MK, Kulild JC, Weller RN (1992) Root canal configuration of the mandibular first premolar. J Endod 18:505–508

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Bjorndal L, Carlsen O, Thuesen G, Darvann T, Kreiborg S (1999) External and internal macromorphology in 3D-reconstructed maxillary molars using computerized X-ray microtomography. Int Endod J 32:3–9

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Grande NM, Plotino G, Pecci R, Bedini R, Pameijer CH, Somma F (2008) Micro-computerized tomographic analysis of radicular and canal morphology of premolars with long oval canals. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 106:70–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Cleghorn BM, Christie WH, Dong CC (2008) Anomalous mandibular premolars: a mandibular first premolar with three roots and a mandibular second premolar with a C-shaped canal system. Int Endod J 41:1005–1014

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Fan B, Yang J, Gutmann JL, Fan M (2008) Root canal systems in mandibular first premolars with C-shaped root configurations. Part I: microcomputed tomography mapping of the radicular groove and associated root canal cross-sections. J Endod 34:1337–1341

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Somma F, Leoni D, Plotino G, Grande NM, Plasschaert A (2009) Root canal morphology of the mesiobuccal root of maxillary first molars: a micro-computed tomographic analysis. Int Endod J 42:165–174

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Verma P, Love RM (2010) A Micro CT study of the mesiobuccal root canal morphology of the maxillary first molar tooth. Int Endod J 44:210–217

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Gu Y, Lu Q, Wang P, Ni L (2010) Root canal morphology of permanent three-rooted mandibular first molars: part II—measurement of root canal curvatures. J Endod 36:1341–1346

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Aboshi H, Takahashi T, Komuro T (2010) Age estimation using microfocus X-ray computed tomography of lower premolars. Forensic Sci Int 200:35–40

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Peters OA, Laib A, Ruegsegger P, Barbakow F (2000) Three-dimensional analysis of root canal geometry by high-resolution computed tomography. J Dent Res 79:1405–1409

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Oi T, Saka H, Ide Y (2004) Three-dimensional observation of pulp cavities in the maxillary first premolar tooth using micro-CT. Int Endod J 37:46–51

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Dowker SE, Davis GR, Elliott JC (1997) X-ray microtomography: non-destructive three-dimensional imaging for in vivo endodontic studies. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 83:510–516

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Ingle JI, Taintor JF (1985) Endodontics: modern endodontic therapy. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  19. Sert S, Bayirli GS (2004) Evaluation of the root canal configurations of the mandibular and maxillary permanent teeth by gender in the Turkish population. J Endod 30:391–398

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Yoshioka T, Villegas JC, Kobayashi C, Suda H (2004) Radiographic evaluation of root canal multiplicity in mandibular first premolars. J Endod 30:73–74

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Lu T-Y, Yang S-F, Pai S-F (2006) Complicated root canal morphology of mandibular first premolar in a Chinese population using the cross section method. J Endod 32:932–936

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Vertucci FJ (2005) Root canal morphology and its relationship to endodontic procedures. Endod Top 10:3–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Weller RN, Niemczyk SP, Kim S (1995) Incidence and position of the canal isthmus. Part 1. Mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molar. J Endod 21:380–383

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Ash M (1999) Wheeler’s dental anatomy, physiology and occlusion. In: Ash M (ed) The permanent mandibular incisors, 7th edn. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 228–229

    Google Scholar 

  25. Cleghorn BM, Christie WH, Dong CC (2007) The root and root canal morphology of the human mandibular first premolar: a literature review. J Endod 33:1031–1037

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Khedmat S, Assadian H, Saravani AA (2010) Root canal morphology of the mandibular first premolars in an Iranian population using cross-sections and radiography. J Endod 36:214–217

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Lin ZM, Fang YY, Ling JQ (2008) Morphological characteristics of the mandibular first premolars in people from Pearl River Delta region in Guangdong province. Hua Xi Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi 26:526–530

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Xu Q, Xiao XF, Zhou YF, Chen M, Ling JQ (2009) Root canal morphology of mandibular incisors and mandibular first premolars in vitro. Chin J Conserv Dent 19:73–76

    Google Scholar 

  29. Awawdeh LA, Al-Qudah AA (2008) Root form and canal morphology of mandibular premolars in a Jordanian population. Int Endod J 41:240–248

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Sandhya R, Velmurugan N, Kandaswamy D (2010) Assessment of root canal morphology of mandibular first premolars in the Indian population using spiral computed tomography: an in vitro study. Indian J Dent Res 21:169–173

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Vertucci FJ (1978) Root canal morphology of mandibular premolars. J Am Dent Assoc 97:47–50

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Plotino G, Grande NM, Pecci R, Bedini R, Pameijer CH, Somma F (2006) Three-dimensional imaging using microcomputed tomography for studying tooth macromorphology. J Am Dent Assoc 137:1555–1561

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Velmurugan N, Sandhya R (2009) Root canal morphology of mandibular first premolars in an Indian population: a laboratory study. Int Endod J 42:54–58

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Maret D, Molinier F, Braga J, Peters OA, Telmon N, Treil J, Inglèse JM, Cossié A, Kahn JL, Sixou M (2009) Accuracy of 3D reconstructions based on cone beam computed tomography. J Dent Res 89(12):1465–1469

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Stomatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital and Postgraduate Military Medical School, Beijing, 100039, China

    Na Liu

  2. Department of Stomatology, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, People’s Republic of China

    Xiangjie Li, Ning Liu, Lijun Ye, Jianping An, Luchuan Liu & Manjing Deng

  3. Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, People’s Republic of China

    Xin Nie

Authors
  1. Na Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xiangjie Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ning Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lijun Ye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jianping An
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Xin Nie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Luchuan Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Manjing Deng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Manjing Deng.

Additional information

Na Liu and Xiangjie Li contributed equally to this work as co-first authors.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Liu, N., Li, X., Liu, N. et al. A micro-computed tomography study of the root canal morphology of the mandibular first premolar in a population from southwestern China. Clin Oral Invest 17, 999–1007 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-012-0778-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-012-0778-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation