title: Three-dimensional analysis of maxillary first molar mesiobuccal root canal configuration and curvature using micro-computed tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The complex anatomic configuration of the maxillary first molar mesiobuccal (MB) root canal system has been the subject of several studies. The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the 3-dimensional (3D) characteristics of the maxillary first molar MB canal system using micro-computed tomography (microCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Extracted maxillary first molars (46) were scanned by microCT and their canals reconstructed by 3D modeling software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In these MB roots, nearly two-thirds (65.2%) had 2 canals, fewer than one-third (28.3%) had only 1 canal, and a few (6.5%) had 3 canals. The most common root canal configuration was 2 distinct canals (type III: 37.0%), followed by 1 single canal (type I: 28.3%), 2 canals that joined together (type II: 17.4%), 1 canal that split into 2 (type IV: 10.9%), and 3 canals (type V: 6.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MicroCT provided an in-depth analysis of canal configurations, as well as length, curvature, and location of calcified segments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Anatomy, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Wook
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jong-Ki
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Byung-Hyun
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Jeong-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hiran
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Perinpanayagam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012984:Software; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods*