title: Demystifying the mesiobuccal root of maxillary first molar using cone-beam computed tomography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Imaging techniques and endodontics are inseparable from each other as the former have always been the cornerstone for successful endodontic diagnosis and treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to detect the presence of extra canals in the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molar using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 75 freshly extracted human maxillary first molars were mounted on arches and exposed to CBCT and digital radiography (control). The incidence of additional canals is then evaluated using CBCT and the teeth identified with additional canals were marked and again exposed to RVG.
  
  
  METHODS
  The results were analyzed by three examiners two endodontists and an oral radiologist to eliminate bias. Inter and intra rater agreement was analyzed using the kappa coefficient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical analysis revealed the incidence of extra canals to be at 47.1% with the difference between the readings of the 3 examiners being statistically insignificant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBCT can be considered an advanced diagnostic tool for primary and secondary endodontic treatments.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karunakar
authors.forename: Raji V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Panineeya Mahavidyalaya Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
authors.forename: Chaitanya
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Byragoni
authors.forename: Lakshmi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sanjana
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Komali
mesh_terms: D063405:Anatomic Variation; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*