Predicting the configuration of a C-shaped canal system from panoramic radiographs.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the presentation of C-shaped canals in mandibular molars on dental panoramic radiographs.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 290 patients who had undergone both panoramic dental radiography and computed tomography (CT). Initially the presence of mandibular molars with C-shaped canals was identified on this sample by the use CT. This was used as a ground radiographic truth. Then 3 investigators independently classified the mandibular molars according to their 6 root morphologies on panoramic dental radiographs. The sensitivities, specificities, positive predictive values (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV) of characteristic findings on panoramic radiographs were calculated.


RESULTS
A C-shaped canal was identified in 90 (29%) of 311 mandibular molars. The most common morphology of C-shaped canal molars was 2 separate conical roots (52%); trabecular patterns were relatively common between the roots. In contrast, the most common morphology of molars without C-shaped canals was 2 separate roots that were either divergent or parallel (85%).


CONCLUSIONS
Panoramic radiography is a good surveying modality to detect C-shaped canals and can be used to determine whether further examination is required before endodontic treatment.
Jung
Hwan-Jun
HJ
School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Sam-Sun
SS
Huh
Kyung-Hoe
KH
Yi
Won-Jin
WJ
Heo
Min-Suk
MS
Choi
Soon-Chul
SC
D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*