Morphological measurements of two separate mesiobuccal canals in maxillary first molars using micro-computed tomography

Objectives

To obtain radicular measurements of two separate mesiobuccal (MB) root canals in maxillary first molars using micro-computed tomography (μCT) with customized software.

Materials and methods

Human maxillary first molar MB roots (N = 36) with two separate canals (MB1, MB2) and apical foramina were scanned by μCT and analyzed with Kappa2 software to reconstruct three-dimensional (3D) surface models of roots and canals. These models were sectioned at 0.1 mm intervals perpendicular to the central axis of each canal. Canal widths, 3D curvatures, and surrounding dentine thicknesses were measured concurrently on each section. Dentine thicknesses were analyzed statistically for differences between each direction and the different levels of both canals.

Results

Dentine walls around MB1 were thicker than MB2 (p < 0.05). Thinnest dentine was most often located at disto-inside direction in both canals. Canal widths were significantly smaller in MB2 than MB1 (p < 0.01). Apical constrictions were smaller (p < 0.05) and further (p < 0.05) from the apex in MB2 than MB1. Canal curvatures were greatest in the apical third of both canals (p < 0.001), and they were greater in MB2 than MB1 (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

MB2 canals had shorter lengths, smaller widths, and more severe curvatures and were surrounded by thinner dentine walls. In MB2, apical constrictions were between 1 and 2 mm from the apex, compared to about 1 mm for MB1.

Clinical relevance

These detailed measurements and in-depth 3D analyses of maxillary first molar MB roots with two separate canals and apical foramina provide morphologic references for root canal therapy.