Three-dimensional morphological analysis of C-shaped canals in mandibular first premolars in a Chinese population.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate and compare the unique anatomical features and positioning of C-shaped canals in mandibular first premolars with and without radicular grooves in a Chinese population.


METHODS
A total of 327 extracted mandibular first premolars including 146 with radicular grooves and 181 without radicular grooves from a Chinese population were scanned by μCT-50 or μCT-80. After reconstruction, canal systems were classified according to a modified Vertucci method and the anatomical features evaluated. The data were analysed by one-way anova test, Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test (P < 0.05).


RESULTS
Of 146 mandibular first premolars with a radicular groove, 97 had C-shaped canals, the predominant anatomical canal type being Vb (P < 0.001), which was characterized by an oval canal in the coronal part and a semicolon or continuous C-shape beneath the groove. Of the 181 mandibular first premolars without a radicular groove, no C-shaped canal system was observed, and the percentage of Ia (97.8%) was significantly higher than those of other types (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
In teeth from a Chinese population, mandibular first premolars with radicular grooves had a high incidence of C-shaped canal systems with anatomical variations along the root.
The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. opeters@pacific.edu
B
B
Fan
W
W
Ye
E
E
Xie
H
H
Wu
J L
JL
Gutmann
D063405:Anatomic Variation; D044466:Asian People; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002681:China; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008334:Mandible