Summary:
•Purpose: to study the MB canal configuration in maxillary 1st molar using micro CT, identify number of canals and presence of curvature
•N= 46 intact maxillary 1st molars.
•Materials/Methods:
•External surfacecleaned using ultrasonic scaler and 5.25% NaOCl.
•Teeth scanned using micro CT. 502 image / tooth were obtained and used to reconstruct a 3D model.
•Classification used: Weine I,II,III and IV.1 Type V based on Yoshioka et al.’s system.2
•In order to measure the canal’s curvature they need to mathematically define shape and curvature .
Most highlighted Results:
•72% of the MB roots had multiple canals, 65% of them had 2 canals (mostly type III canal configuration (37%)).
•7% had 3 canals.
•Average canal length of: MB1 = 9.8 mm. MB2=9.2 mm.
•Curvature for both MB1 and MB2 from large to least: apical, coronal, middle. With much more exaggerated curves in all trisections in MB2.
•50% of MB2 canals had calcified segment, mostly in the coronal third (39%) with an average length of 1.1 mm.
Clinical significance:
high incidence of calcification in MB2 and its abrupt curvatures. Aid in negotiating MB2.