A Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Evaluation of Root Canal Variations in Primary Mandibular Second Molars and Permanent Mandibular First Molars in Indian Population - A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background Primary teeth in some instances can have peculiar internal root and canal geometry including interconnections involving furcation with horizontal anastomoses which makes endodontic management extremely challenging. Being one of the first permanent teeth to erupt the mandibular first permanent molars MFPMs are frequently afflicted by caries neccessitating endodontic management.Aim The study aimed to determine the variations in the morphology of the root canals of primary mandibular second molars PMSMs and MFPMs and also the usefulness of Cone Beam Computerized Tomography CBCT in determining the root canal morphology. Methods Fifty CBCT images of children aged 5-10 years were obtained from the institutional database. Hundred PMSMs and MFPMs each were analyzed for a variety of factors including the number of roots and root canals and their form.Results Most of the PMSMs and MFPMs n96 had two distinct roots and the remaining four had three roots. In the distal root one root and two root canals were recognized in 62 cases one root and a single canal in 34 and two roots and a single canal in each of the remaining 4 cases. In the mesial root two root canals were detected in 96 cases and a single canal was noted in 4 of cases. Moreover 72 of the MFPM specimens had three root canals 20 had four and 8 had just two canals.Conclusion This study showed that different root canal configurations can be found in PMSMs and MFPMs. Therefore these variations should be considered during the management.