title: Computed Tomographic Morphometry of the Internal Anatomy of Mandibular Second Primary Molars.
abstract: Need for the study: The most important procedure for a successful endodontic treatment is the cleaning and shaping of the canal system. Understanding the internal anatomy of teeth provides valuable information to the clinician that would help him achieve higher clinical success during endodontic therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate by computed tomography-the internal anatomy of mandibular second primary molars with respect to the number of canals, cross-sectional shape of canals, cross-sectional area of canals and the root dentin thickness.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 31 mandibular second primary molars were subjected to computed-tomographic evaluation in the transverse plane, after mounting them in a prefabricated template. The images, thus, obtained were analyzed using De-winter Bio-wizard® software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the samples demonstrated two canals in the mesial root, while majority of the samples (65.48%) demonstrated two canals in the distal root. The cross-sectional images of the mesial canals demonstrated a round shape, while the distal canals demonstrated an irregular shape. The root dentin thickness was highly reduced on the distal aspect of mesial and mesial aspect of distal canals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mandibular second primary molars demonstrated wide variation and complexities in their internal anatomy. A thorough understanding of the complexity of the root canal system is essential for understanding the principles and problems of shaping and cleaning, determining the apical limits and dimensions of canal preparations, and for performing successful endodontic procedures. How to cite this article: Kurthukoti AJ, Sharma P, Swamy DF, Shashidara R, Swamy EB. Computed Tomographic Morphometry of the Internal Anatomy of Mandibular Second Primary Molars. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2015;8(3):202-207.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Jodhpur Dental College and General Hospital, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Ameet J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kurthukoti
authors.affiliation: Ex-Postgraduate Student, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences, Virajpet, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Pranjal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Vydehi Institute of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Dinesh Francis
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Swamy
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Oral Pathology, Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences, Virajpet, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shashidara
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Goa Dental College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, India.
authors.forename: Elaine Barretto
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Swamy
keywords: Area; Cross-sectional shape; Deciduous/anatomy and histology; Dental pulp cavity/anatomy and histology; Number of canals; Root canal therapy/instrumentation; Root dentin thickness; Spiral computed/methods; Tomography; Tooth.