title: Cone beam CT evaluation of mandibular molar root canal morphology in a Turkish Cypriot population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Microorganisms in untreated or overlooked root canals can cause endodontic failure or infection and inflammation. Therefore, clinicians should familiarize themselves with patient's root canal anatomy and morphology. The objective of this retrospective study was to analyze and characterize mandibular root canal morphology using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in a Turkish Cypriot population.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study consisted of retrospective evaluation of CBCT scans from 272 adult patients (aged 16-80 years). The number of roots and canals and the canal configuration in each root were evaluated using Vertucci's classification. The incidence of additional roots and of C-shaped canals in the mandibular first and second molars was also noted. Pearson chi-square tests were performed to analyze canal configurations, laterality, and gender (p ≤ 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the female and male patients, 94.5 and 94.4 % of the mandibular first and 96.7 and 97.2 % of the mandibular second molars had two roots, respectively. In females, 4.4 % of mandibular first molars had three roots versus 2.7 % of mandibular first molars in male patients. Type IV was the most prevalent canal configuration regardless of the gender (female 61.3 % and male 64.2 %) in the mesial roots. No statistically significant differences according to gender or laterality were found in the incidence of additional canals for either maxillary first or second molars.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Type IV was the most prevalent canal configuration of both the mandibular first and second molar teeth. There was a low prevalence of three-rooted mandibular molars in this particular population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current study is the first of its kind to include a Turkish Cypriot population and, thus, provides baseline data for these patients regarding appropriate root canal treatments.
authors: Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey. berkancelikten@yahoo.com.tr.
authors: Berkan
authors: B
authors: Celikten
authors: Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Pelin
authors: P
authors: Tufenkci
authors: Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors: Umut
authors: U
authors: Aksoy
authors: Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors: Atakan
authors: A
authors: Kalender
authors: Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors: Fatma
authors: F
authors: Kermeoglu
authors: Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors: Pervin
authors: P
authors: Dabaj
authors: Department of DentoMaxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Kaan
authors: K
authors: Orhan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014421:Turkey
keywords: Cone beam computed tomography; Mandibular molar; Retrospective study; Root canal anatomy