title: Anatomical variations of mandibular premolars in Chennai population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse the prevalence of anatomical variations of mandibular premolars in Chennai population.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was observed, during the routine treatment of mandibular premolars that aberrations were becoming common. This necessitated an encompassing study on 500 patients, evaluating the occurrence of these aberrations. The parameters of this study included sex predilection, unilateral/ bilateral occurrences, and comparison of the incidence of anatomical variations in mandibular first and second premolar canal configuration. The study pattern was designed to observe these premolars using Radiovisiography (RVG) in different angulations to highlight the anatomical aberrations. The results were subjected to statistical analysis, which were performed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) statistical program version 10.0.5. Descriptive statistics were computed for all the variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The present study revealed high incidence of anatomical aberrations in mandibular premolars among Chennai population. Out of the 500 patients studied, 123 patients [24.6%] showed anatomical variance in the canal configuration. There was high incidence of Vertucci's Type IV canal configuration as compared to Type V, Type II and Type VIII in the descending order of occurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of this in-vivo study, it was inferred that the incidence of aberrations in the canal configuration of mandibular premolars is common and due considerations are to be given during endodontic intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Ragas Dental College & Hospital, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India. vidya_hari@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Vidyaa Hari
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Iyer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Indira
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramachandran
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Srinivasan
mesh_terms: D001641:Bicuspid / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology*; D003789:Dental Pulp Exposure / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000379:methods; D012737:Sex Factors