Cone-beam computed tomography study of root canal morphology of permanent mandibular incisors in a Turkish sub-population

Abstract

Aims: The aim was to examine root canal morphology of permanent mandibular incisors in a Turkish sub-population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography images of 382 patients with 1438 healthy permanent mandibular incisors were evaluated. According to Vertucci's classification, teeth were examined to determine the number of roots, the number of canals and canal configurations. The effects of gender and age on the incidence of root-canal morphology were investigated. Results: All of the permanent mandibular incisors had a single root. The majority of mandibular incisors (64.4%) had a single root with a single canal. A second root canal was present more frequently (35.6%) in the mandibular incisors. The prevalence of the two canals system was as follows: Left central incisor 37.9%, right central incisor 38.6%, left lateral incisor 37.4% and right lateral incisor 35.6% (P > 0.05). According to gender, 15.2% of teeth in males and 20.4% in females had a second canal (P > 0.05). Type 1 Vertucci configuration (64.4%) was the most prevalent configuration followed by type 3 (19.4%), type 2 (15.2%), type 5 (0.8%) and type 4 (0.2%). There was no effect of age and gender on the number of roots, number of canals and canal configurations. Conclusion: The prevalence of the second canal in mandibular incisors was high but within the range of previous studies performed on different populations. CBCT imaging is an excellent method for detection of different canal configurations of mandibular incisors.