title: Prevalence of C-shaped root canals in Iranian population: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Because of the great challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of "C" configuration and lack of any systematic information about its occurrence, the purpose of the present study is to determine the prevalence of C shaped root canals in Iranian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  An exhaustive search was undertaken to identify published and unpublished researches related to the C-shaped canals by using key words. The search of the MEDLINE database included all publications from 1966 to May 2012.Then selected articles were obtained and reviewed. Data evaluated and summarized in the data sheet included methodology, population, number of teeth per study (power), number of root canals, type of root canal configuration, and c-shaped canals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six studies were included with total of 1062 teeth, all in mandibular second molars. The total incidence of C-shaped canals in Iranian population was obtained 6.96%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of C-shaped canals in Iranian population is 6.96%, which seems much less than Asian populations but nearer to Middle East countries.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Endodontics,Dental School of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mandana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naseri
authors.forename: Ali Kangarlou
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Haghighi
authors.forename: Mohammad Javad
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kharazifard
authors.forename: Atefeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khavid
keywords: Anatomy; C-shape; Review, Systematic; Root canal