INTRODUCTION

“Off all the phases of anatomic study of human system one of the most complex is the pulp space anatomy” – Barret MT, Dental Cosmos

Root canal system is complex and varies with each individual teeth. A thorough knowledge of tooth anatomy, root canal morphology, careful interpretation of angled radiographs, adequate access and exploration are prerequisite for successful root canal therapy.1 In the case of a maxillary first premolar, the root morphology including its canal anatomy can vary significantly in different individuals and populations.

The maxillary first premolar has two cusps, a buccal and a lingual, each being sharply defined. Most have two roots, and two root canals bifurcate it of half its length. When only one root is present, two root canals are usually found.2 Single root ranges from 22 to 66%, with two roots from 33 to 84%, and three with roots from 0 to 6%.3

However, there have been several reports of anomalous morphology of the roots and root canals, with distinct racial predilections. Walker4 found that Asians have different percentages of canal configurations than those reported in studies on Caucasians and Africans.5

The conventional technique for studying root canal morphology has been tooth clearing, dye injection, and decalcification methods while some researchers have employed radiography. Radiographic evaluation has been mostly restricted to periapical radiography in two planes or digital radiography. Superimposition of structures and image distortion are drawbacks to the use of this technique.

Recently, a noninvasive and extremely sensitive tool has been suggested for such studies, namely, Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Cone beam computed tomography imaging allows a three-dimensional evaluation of teeth and their adjacent structures.3 According to Kim et al,6 CBCT scan can enhance the understanding of root canal anatomy, with the potential of improving the outcome of endodontic treatment.7 Literature regarding root and canal morphology of teeth in the Kerala population is very sparse.

The present study was conceived to evaluate using CBCT anatomical variations of the root canals of the maxi­llary first premolar in Kerala population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was undertaken at Amrita School of Dentistry following institutional ethical committee approval.

A total of 125 extracted maxillary first premolars were selected using criteria as described by Wheeler.2 The teeth were collected from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Amrita School of Dentistry, extracted due to trauma, periodontal, and orthodontic reasons. The specimens were cleaned and stored in saline until use.

Fig. 1

Samples for CBCT number of roots

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Fig. 2

Single root

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Fig. 3

Separate root

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Fig. 4

Fused roots

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For CBCT evaluation, specimens were arranged in a template (Fig. 1). Cone beam computed tomography scans of the teeth were taken using Kodak Carestream CS 9300 machine, and the scans were assessed by a single investigator using CS three-dimensional imaging software.

The following were recorded:

  • Number of roots

  • Number of root canals

  • Anatomy and configuration of canals

In this study, canal morphology was determined based on Vertucci's classification.7 The data were entered on an Excel spreadsheet and descriptive analysis was done.

RESULTS

Of the 125 first premolar teeth studied, 88% had two roots and 12% had single root (Fig. 2). Of the 88% two-rooted premolars, 74% had two separate roots (Fig. 3) while 27% had fused roots (Fig. 4).

Fig. 5

Type I

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When the internal root anatomy was examined, Vertucci type I canal configuration was seen in 93.6% (Fig. 5), with a single root canal extending from the pulp chamber and exiting in a single apical foramen. Type II configuration was seen in 3.1% (Fig. 6) and type VI in 2.3% (Fig. 7). The variations were usually seen in the single-rooted teeth.

Fig. 6

Type II

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Fig. 7

Type VI

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Table 1: Percentage of number of roots and canal configuration

No of rootsTwo rooted (88%)Single rooted
      FusedSeparated12%
      27%74%      
Canal configurationType IType IIType VI
      93.6%3.1%2.3%

Single canal existing in single apical foramen was found in 94.4% teeth, while only 4% teeth showed two canals joining and exiting at single apical foramen and 3% showed two canal joining and exiting in two foramina (Table 1).

DISCUSSION

Understanding of pulp space anatomy of teeth is a prerequisite to the delivery of high-quality root canal treatment. An inadequate understanding of the three-dimensional nature of pulp space may lead to failures.8

Cone beam computed tomography or digital volume tomography produces three-dimensional scans of the maxillofacial skeleton using an extraoral imaging scanner at a lower radiation dose than conventional CT. Cone beam computed tomography was used to study root canal morphology in the present study as it is a noninvasive method to evaluate the anatomy in axial, sagittal, and coronal sections and provide a three-dimensional image of root canal system.9 It has been shown to be more accurate than digital radiographs in determining root canal systems and can also evaluate the canal configuration in vivo, thereby useful in clinical assessment. Neelakantan et al10 reported that CBCT can detect the root canal system as accurately as canal staining and clearing techniques.11

Maxillary premolars have a complex and highly variable anatomy.1 The variation in number of roots and canal configuration makes endodontic treatment on these teeth complex.10 Different studies have reported variations in canal configurations in maxillary first premolars.10

Vertucci in 1984 studied the canal configuration of human permanent teeth and reported that maxillary first premolar was the only tooth which had all the eight types of canal configurations. Pineda and Kuttler (1972) reported that in maxillary premolars, 50.1% had one canal and 49.4% had two canals at the apex. This finding was not in agreement with the study by Green (1973) where one canal in 8% and two canals at apex in 92% cases were reported.9

The incidence of a single-rooted maxillary first premolar was reported as 22.0 to 55.8% by Pecora et al.10 Loh reported 50.6% incidence of single-rooted teeth in a Singaporean population, while Carns and Skidmore reported the highest incidence of 72%.5,10,11 All these reports concur that ethnicity plays a significant role in the canal morphology. The differences in the results of these morphology studies may be due to variations of examination methods, classification systems, sample sizes, and ethnic background of tooth sources.

In the present study, the canal configurations were visualized in three dimensions using CBCT. It can, therefore, be used as an adjunct to existing diagnostic aid. Among the teeth examined, 93.6% teeth had type I canal configuration. Type II configuration was seen in 3.1% and type VI in 2.3%. Type I canal configuration is easy to identify and treat. Teeth with a complex root canal system (types II, III, V, VI, VII, and VIII) are difficult to identify and treat with cleaning, shaping, and obturation. Clinically, it is important to know that the single root canal splits into multiple canals at certain point of root canal length and the level of separation most often go unnoticed and are difficult to manage.12

About 62.6% of maxillary first premolars were found to have two roots and 12% teeth had single root. All of the teeth had “two canals” irrespective of single/double root,1 which was consistent with the findings of the studies done by Kartal et al (Turkey), Lipski et al (Poland), and Atieh13 (Saudi Arabia).8

The present assessment shows that root and canal morphology of maxillary first premolar is highly variable and changes with different ethnic groups.

CONCLUSION

Among the study population, maxillary first premolars showed a 62.6% incidence of two roots with two distinct canals, with 94.4% exiting in two apical foramen. Cone beam computed tomography analysis is a noninvasive and effective tool for assessing root and canal morpho­logy, which is an adjunct to routine technique to improve outcome of endodontic treatment.

Conflicts of interest

Source of support: Nil

Conflict of interest: None