title: Evaluation of root canal morphology of human primary molars by using CBCT and comprehensive review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Knowledge of primary tooth morphology is essential for clinical dentistry, especially for root canal treatment and dental traumatology. However, this has not been well documented to date with a large sample. This study was carried out to investigate the variation in number and morphology of the root canals of the primary molars, to study the applicability of cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) in assessing the same and to provide a comprehensive review of the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 343 primary molars, without any root resorption, were divided into four main groups including the maxillary first molars, maxillary second molars, mandibular first molars and mandibular second molars. All of them were analysed in CBCT images in the axial, sagittal and coronal planes. Various parameters such as the number of roots, number of canals, the root canal type, diameter of root and root canal and root canal curvature were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Primary molars in all four groups showed variability in the number of roots and root canals. As far as length of the roots was concerned, the palatal root of the maxillary molar was found to be longest, while the distobuccal root was shortest. In mandibular molars, the mesial root was longer than the distal root. The length of distobuccal root canal of the maxillary molars and the distolingual canal of the mandibular molars was found to be shortest. The number of roots and root canals varied from two to four and three to four, respectively. The maxillary molars exhibited more one-canal than two-canal roots.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study provides comprehensive information to the existing literature concerning the variation in root canal morphology of the maxillary and mandibular primary molar teeth. These data may help clinicians in the root canal treatment of these teeth.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry , Erciyes University , Kayseri , Turkey ;
authors.forename: Gozde
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ozcan
authors.affiliation: a Department of Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry , Erciyes University , Kayseri , Turkey ;
authors.forename: Ahmet Ercan
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Sekerci
authors.affiliation: b Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Dentistry , Erciyes University , Kayseri , Turkey.
authors.forename: Kenan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cantekin
authors.affiliation: b Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Dentistry , Erciyes University , Kayseri , Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aydinbelge
authors.affiliation: b Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Dentistry , Erciyes University , Kayseri , Turkey.
authors.forename: Salih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dogan
mesh_terms: D063405:Anatomic Variation; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Cone beam computerized tomography; primary molars; root canal morphology; three-dimensional reconstruction