title: Root canal systems of the mandibular and maxillary first permanent molar teeth of south Asian Pakistanis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present ex vivo study was to investigate variations in the root canal systems of mandibular and maxillary first permanent molar teeth of South Asian Pakistanis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The root canal systems of a sample of 30 mandibular and 30 maxillary first permanent molar teeth extracted from South Asian Pakistanis were studied using a clearing technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mesial roots of the mandibular molar teeth typically presented with two canals (97%) of type II, IV or VI configuration. The distal roots of these teeth presented with a single canal (50%) of type I or V configuration or with two canals (50%) of type II, IV or VI. The prevalence of four root canals in two-rooted mandibular first permanent molar teeth was 47%. In maxillary molar teeth the mesial roots with a single canal (47%) were type I or type V; those with two canals (53%) were type II, IV or type VI. The distal and palatal roots that presented as a single canal (100%) were type I or type V configuration. The prevalence of four root canals in three-rooted maxillary first permanent molar teeth was 53%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that four root canals in mandibular and maxillary first permanent molar teeth of South Asian Pakistanis is a common occurrence. The distribution of the different configurations of root canal systems in this population differed from that in Caucasian groups, suggesting that variations in root canal systems may be attributed to racial divergence.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Operative Dentistry and Endodontology, Turner Dental School, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester M15 6FH, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wasti
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Shearer
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000431:Ethanol; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible; D008437:Maxilla; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D010154:Pakistan; D012997:Solvents; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D012997:Solvents; C028433:chinese ink; D000431:Ethanol; D002244:Carbon