(PR073) CBCT Analysis of Root Morphology and Root Canal Configuration of Mandibular Second Premolars

The goal of endodontic therapy is identifying, cleaning, disinfecting, and shaping all canals within a root canal system to eliminate the source of infection and or inflammation thereby treating or preventing apical periodontitis. The complexity of the root canal system can greatly decrease the success rate of endodontic therapy, in some studies by as much as 4.4 times the chance of failure when a canal was missed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vivo the root morphology and canal configuration of mandibular second premolars using limited view cone beam tomography. One hundred mandibular second premolars in which limited view CBCT image was indicated during treatment were included in this study. CBCT images were acquired by a Veraview X800 Morita scanner. Numbers of roots present, Vertucci’s canal configurations, age, and sex of patient were recorded. 96% of mandibular second premolars had one root while 4% had two roots. Mesial/distal split in roots were only present in male patients. A single apex was present 90% of the time, 2 separate apices were present 9% of the time, and 3 separate apices were present 1% of the time. 84% of mandibular second premolars displayed type I Vertucci classification (1-1), 7% displayed a type V Vertucci classification (1-2), 5% displayed a type III Vertucci classification (1-2-1), and 4% displayed a c-shaped canal configuration. In conclusion, 10% of lower second premolars had a configuration with more than one apex which emphasized the importance of limited CBCT during endodontic treatment.