Variables That Affect the Ability to Find the Second Mesiobuccal Root Canals in Maxillary Molars.

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the influence of various factors on the localization of the second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal in maxillary molars, a commonly missed canal during endodontic treatment. A comprehensive assessment of maxillary molars treated over three years with a dental operative microscope was conducted. Factors such as patient gender, age, tooth type, pulp status, pre-operative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and treatment modality were examined. Statistical analyses included chi-square and multiple logistic regression. Among 333 treated maxillary molars, the MB2 canal was identified in 60.1%. The prevalence of MB2 canals was significantly higher in the first molars (72.3%) compared to the second molars (40.2%; P=0.001). Multiple logistic regression models showed that gender, tooth type, and treatment modality emerged as significant determinants of MB2 canal localization: males [odds ratio 3.01(CI 95%:1.71-5.32), P<0.001], first molar tooth [odds ratio 4.26 (CI 95%:2.53-7.18), P<0.001] and secondary endodontic treatment [odds ratio 0.06 (CI 95%: 0.004-0.890), P<0.04]. Patient gender, tooth type, and treatment modality play pivotal roles in the identification of the MB2 canal. Additionally, the availability of pre-operative CBCT imaging was associated with a heightened ability to locate the MB2 canal.