Cone-beam Computed Tomography Study of Root Canals in a Hamadani Population in Iran

Using CBCT to determine root morphology minimizes rate of treatment failure and adverse effects, such as gouging and perforations. The aim of this study was to assess morphology of root canals using CBCT scans. In this cross-sectional study, conducted in the Radiology Department of Hamadan Dental School in 2011‒2012, 66 CBCT scans were studied. The following data were analyzed: number of roots, canals, canal types and root canal curvature of mandibular central and lateral incisors, canines, first and second premolars and molars and maxillary first and second premolars and molars. Data was analyzed with SPSS 16.0 and descriptive statistical tests. In this study, all the mandibular central and lateral incisors, canines, second premolars and most of the mandibular first premolars (98.5%) and all of the second premolars and maxillary first and second premolars (63.6% and 65.1%) had one root. All the mandibular first molars and most of the second molars (95.4%) had two roots. All the maxillary first and second molars had three roots. Most of the mandibular central and lateral incisors, canines and first premolars and maxillary second premolars had one canal. 65.1% of mandibular second premolars and 87.9% of maxillary first premolars had two canals. Most of the mandibular first and second molars and maxillary first molars had three and maxillary second molars had four canals. The majority of mandibular central and lateral incisors, canines, first and second premolars were type I. The majority of teeth, based on Dobo-Nagy classification, were type I (straight). Mandibular second molars had the majority of C-shaped (entirely curved) curvature. CBCT scans are efficacious tools for the diagnosis of root canal morphology and curvatures to increase the success of root canal treatment.