C-Shaped canal system in mandibular premolars evaluated by cone-beam computed tomography in a population of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate cone-beam computed tomography images in an Argentine population in order to determine the presence of mandibular premolars with C-shaped canal system and classify them. Methods697 images were observed, 170 of them fulfilling the selection criteria. Once established the presence of a C-shaped canal system, premolars were classified using Fan’s criteria. Data description was made by frequencies and percentages rates, with a 95% confidence interval according to the score method. Comparisons were assessed by means of the Chi-square test with a significance level equal to 5%. ResultsOf 269 first premolars, 27 teeth showed C-shaped canal system, i.e. 10%, and of 231 second premolars, 4 presented C-shaped canal system, i.e. 2%. Out of 17 patients presenting first premolars in both sides, 6 showed a bilateral C-shaped canal system pattern and 11 did not present this condition. When the condition was unilateral (n = 15), 7 patients showed C-shaped canal in the tooth 3.4 and 8 patients showed C-shaped canal in the tooth 4.4. The second premolars showed C-shaped canals unilaterally. Along the canal, configuration variations at the three-thirds have been observed for the first and second mandibular premolars. ConclusionThe C-shaped canal system pattern prevalence in mandibular first and second premolars was estimated for the first time in an Argentine population, in vivo. The present report contributes to the epidemiological understanding of the anatomical variable of the inner dental configuration and its extrapolation to the clinical practice.