Search

Background: The first tooth to erupt is the first mandibular molar, which is the tooth with the highest number of retreatments. Several factors are responsible for the failure of the endodontic success and one of the most important being the particular pulp anatomy of each tooth. To aim was determine the prevalence of the middle mesial (MM) canal in first mandibular molars and to study if there are predisposing factors to the presence of this canal by retrospectively analyzing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images in vivo., Material and Methods: CBCT images of 100 patients were selected. A total of 206 first mandibular molars were examined. The CBCTs were analysed using Careastream CS 3D imaging software. Findings of MM canals were recorded along the variables sex and left/right side. Prevalence was compared using the Chi-square test ( P < 0.05) and Cramer's V was used to indicate the effect size between the variables., Results: Of the 206 teeth analysed, the prevalence of MM canals was 33.11% (49 teeth). There was no statistically significant difference between sex and prevalence of the MM canal. There was a significant difference between sex and the distance between the mesial canals was found, being the most common range in women was 1-2 mm (35.8%) and 2-3 mm (51%) in men. The most common range of distance between the mesial canals where the MM canal was localized was 3-4 mm (50%), being statistically significant ( p <0,05)., Conclusions: This cross-sectional study showed a high prevalence of MM canals (33.11%) in first mandibular molars. The prevalence of the MM canal was significantly higher when the distance between mesiobucal and mesiolingual canals was 3-4mm. This knowledge let direct the clinicians in locating MM canal for improving endodontic prognosis. Key words: Cone-beam computed tomography, middle mesial canal, prevalence., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not- for- profit sectors., (Copyright: © 2024 Medicina Oral S.L.)

Background: The indicated treatment in cases of apical periodontitis (AP), a disease very prevalent in diabetic patients, is root canal treatment (RCT). This study aims to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to answer the following PICO question: In adult patients, does the absence or presence of diabetes affect the prevalence of root filled teeth (RFT)"?, Material and Methods: PRISMA Guidelines have been followed to carry out this systematic review. A literature search was undertaken in PubMed-MEDLINE, Embase and Scielo. All studies reporting the prevalence of RFT in diabetic patients and control subjects using radiographic examination were included. Study characteristics and risk ratios with 95% CIs were extracted. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed., Results: Five studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Prevalence of RFT were estimated with 701 people and 15,882 teeth. Among diabetic patients, 6.1% of teeth had undergone RCT, while in controls this percentage was 3% (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.0 - 2.9; p = 0.065). Among diabetic patients, 65% had at least one RFT, while in controls this percentage dropped to 55% (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 0.5 - 3.7; p > 0.05). The certainty of evidence was low., Conclusions: The prevalence of RFT in diabetic patients is almost double that in the control population, however this result is only marginally significant. Dentists must take into account the high prevalence of RFT in diabetic patients, investigating the presence of diabetes in those patients in whom a high frequency of RCT is observed. Key words: Diabetes, endodontics, epidemiology, root canal treatment, root filled teeth, prevalence, survey, population-based study., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency., (Copyright: © 2023 Medicina Oral S.L.)