Micro-computed tomography analysis of the root canal anatomy and prevalence of oval canals in mandibular incisors.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to describe the anatomy of the mandibular incisors by using micro-computed tomography.


METHODS
Mandibular incisors (n = 340) were scanned at 19-μm voxel size resolution, and the numbers of canals were classified according to Vertucci classification, as well as the major and minor diameters of the root and root canals, presence of oval canals, and three-dimensional analysis of the apical third were also measured. Data were presented in terms of median and range for each anatomic classification.


RESULTS
Overall, the specimens had 1 root canal (N = 257). The second most prevalent anatomy was Vertucci type III (N = 56). These anatomies represent 92% of the sample. The medians of the major diameter at the 1-, 2-, and 3-mm level of the most prevalent anatomies were 0.36, 0.39, and 0.47 mm for type I and 0.41, 0.51, and 0.66 mm for type III, respectively. The apical volume appears to be constant among these anatomies (0.63 and 0.59 mm(3)). Oval canals were found at the 1-mm apical level, with a prevalence of 16.7% for Vertucci type I and 37.5% for Vertucci type III. The presence of oval canals increased at the 3-mm apical level to 32.4% and 76.2% for Vertucci type I and III classifications, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Type I and III configurations represent 92% of the mandibular incisors studied. Within these anatomic configurations, oval-shaped canals in the apical third were not uncommon and more prevalent in the type III anatomy.
Department of Endodontics, Bauru Dental School, University of São Paulo, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil.
Marcela
M
Milanezi de Almeida
Norberti
N
Bernardineli
Ronald
R
Ordinola-Zapata
Marcelo Haas
MH
Villas-Bôas
Pablo Andrés
PA
Amoroso-Silva
Christian Giampietro
CG
Brandão
Bruno Martini
BM
Guimarães
Ivaldo
I
Gomes de Moraes
Marco Antonio
MA
Húngaro-Duarte
D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007180:Incisor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods*
Dental anatomy; mandibular incisor; microcomputed tomography; oval canals