Anatomic investigation of the roots of second mandibular molars using micro CT.

An understanding of tooth anatomy is an important cornerstone in providing successful endodontic treatment. Detailed images of tooth anatomy using microcomputed tomography allow measurements of pulpal floor anatomy, canal configurations, canal dinemsions, root wall thickness, presence of calcifications, and apical anatomy. The aim of this study of eighteen mandibular second molars using micro CT was to investigate various aspects of tooth anatomy. The most frequently found mesial root canal configuration was Vertucci Type 7 (1-2-1-2) in 33% of samples. Distal canals were most frequently Vertucci Type 1(1), with 61% of samples showing this configuration. 11% of samples had two canals, 44% of samples had three canals, 33% of samples had four canals, and 11% of samples had five canals at some point along the root. On average, root wall thickness between the mesiobuccal root and the furcation was the thinnest at 1.23 mm. The mesiolingual canal root wall thickness was on average 1.29 mm, and the distal was 1.41 mm. 78% of samples had calcifications present in both the pulp chamber and within the canals; 17% of samples were free from calcification in both the pulp chamber and within the canals; one (6%) sample had calcification in the chamber only. Other reported data included canal dimensions at one millimeter increments along the root, pulpal floor anatomy, and apical anatomy.

Author dc:creator

• Barsness, Sara A.

• Dentistry

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

http://purl.umn.edu/116778

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:conservancy.umn.edu:11299/116778