The root and root canal anatomy of maxillary molars in a Chinese population

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to study the prevalence of fused roots, C-shaped roots, C-shaped root canal orifices and C-shaped root canals in the maxillary molars of a Chinese population. A total of 305 first molars and 309 second molars were collected in Taiwan. The teeth were demineralized and placed in methyl salicylate to make them transparent. Root fusion was examined and the pulp chamber floor was checked for C-shaped orifices. Chinese ink was then injected into the root canal system to demonstrate possible C-shaped canals. The maxillary first molars had the palatal root fused with the mesiobuccal root in 0.3% of the cases, and with the distobuccal root in 2.0%. Teeth with C-shaped roots existed in only 0.3% of maxillary first molars, while 6.2% of the maxillary first molars and 40.1% of the maxillary second molars had fused roots. The maxillary second molars had the palatal root fused with the mesiobuccal root in 18.1% and with the distobuccal root in 2.6%; the palatal root was fused with the mesiobuccal and distobuccal root in 8.1% of the material. The maxillary second molars had a C-shaped root in 4.5% and C-shaped root canal orifices with C-shaped root canals in 4.9% of the cases. Fused roots or incompletely separated roots are common in the maxillary second molars amongst Chinese people, while C-shaped roots and root canals in maxillary molars are not frequently seen.