title: Root Canal Morphology and Configuration of 118 Mandibular First Molars by Means of Micro-Computed Tomography: An Ex Vivo Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate the root canal system morphology of the mandibular first molar by means of micro-computed tomography.
  
  
  METHODS
  The root canal configuration, foramina, and accessory canals frequency of 118 mandibular first molars were investigated by means of micro-computed tomography and 3-dimensional software imaging. A 4-digit system describes the root canal configuration from the coronal to apical thirds and the main foramina number.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most frequent root canal configurations in mesial root were 2-2-2/2 (31.4%), 2-2-1/1 (15.3%), and 2-2-2/3 (11.9%); another 24 different root canal configurations were observed in this root. A 1-1-1/1 (58.5%), 1-1-1/2 (10.2%), and 16 other root canal configurations were observed in the distal root. The mesiobuccal root canal showed 1-4 foramina in 24.6%, and the mesiolingual showed 1-3 foramina in 28.0%. One connecting canal between the mesial root canals was observed in 30.5% and 2 in 3.4%. The distolingual root canal showed 1-4 foramina in 23.7%, whereas a foramen in the distobuccal root canal was rarely detected (3.4%). The mesiobuccal, mesiolingual, and distolingual root canals showed at least 1 accessory canal (14.3, 10.2, and 4.2%, respectively), but the distobuccal had none.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The root canal configuration of mandibular first molars varies strongly. According to our expectations, both the mesial and distal roots showed a high number of morphologic diversifications. The root canal system of the mesial root showed more root canal configuration variations, connecting and accessory canals than the distal root.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany. Electronic address: thomaswolf@uni-mainz.de.
authors.forename: Thomas Gerhard
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.affiliation: Division of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology, and Cariology, University of Zürich Center of Dental Medicine, Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paqué
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Maximilian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zeller
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Brita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Willershausen
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Benjamín
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Briseño-Marroquín
mesh_terms: D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography / Q000379:methods
keywords: Internal tooth morphology; mandibular first molar; micro-computed tomography; root canal configuration