Cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of root canal morphology of permanent mandibular incisors in Chennai population.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the root canal morphology of permanent mandibular incisors using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in Chennai population-based on Vertucci classification. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 40 CBCT scans of bilateral mandibular sides of patients of both sexes and ranging in the age of 18–49 years. The CBCT was collected from the Department of Oral Radiology, Saveetha Dental College. The inclusion criteria of this present study are as follows: (i) No obvious dental caries, (ii) fully formed root canal apices without resorption or calcification, (iii) absence of root canal fillings, posts, and crown restoration, (iv) CBCT images of good quality, and (v) CBCT images which included the desired area of interest. The teeth involved were investigated for the number of roots, number of root canal per tooth, and root canal pattern (Vertucci 1984). Results: All the permanent mandibular incisors have a single root. Majority of the incisors had single canal. Prevalence of second canal was found in 7.5% of mandibular central incisors and 13.7% of mandibular lateral incisors. According to gender, 12.1% of mandibular incisors of males and 9.9% of mandibular incisors of females had two canals. Vertucci Type I (55.2%) was the most commonly seen root canal configuration in central incisors, followed by Type III (28.4%), Type V (9%), Type IV (4.5%), and Type II (3%). In case of lateral incisors, the most common was Type I (57.5%), followed by Type III (22.5%), Type IV (8.8%), Type V (6.3%), and type II (5%). Conclusion: Vertucci Type I was the most common configuration in the mandibular incisors of Chennai population. Type II was the least common configuration. Incidence of two canals is higher in males than females and higher in mandibular lateral incisors than in mandibular central incisors. Proper attention should be given to the detection of a second canal during root canal treatment. CBCT provides an excellent imaging modality for detection of different canal configurations of mandibular incisors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]