Evaluation of the relationship between buccolingual width of mesiobuccal root and root canal morphology of maxillary first molars by cone‑beam computed tomography

Abstract

Background: One of the main reasons for the failure of root canal treatment is the incomplete
knowledge of the root canal system. With respect to the complexity of maxillary molars root canal
system, and the possibility of the relationship between the buccolingual width of the mesiobuccal
root and root canal morphology in maxillary molars, the aim of this study is to determine this
relationship with cone‑beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Materials and Methods: This in vitro study carried out on 311 CBCT scans. Maxillary first
molars (n = 311) were evaluated in three sagittal, axial, and coronal planes. For each tooth the
number of canals, presence of second mesiobuccal (MB2), buccolingual width of mesiobuccal root
at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ), and mid‑root level, and type of canals according to the
Vertucci’s classification were determined.
Results: The results showed that 49.1% of first maxillary molars had 3 and 50.8% had four root
canals. The most common canal type in the mesiobuccal root was Vertucci’s Type I followed by Types
II, IV, and V. The prevalence of MB2 in the Iranian subpopulation was 50.1%. In maxillary first molars
with MB2, the buccolingual width of mesiobuccal root at the CEJ and mid‑root level (P < 0.001)
was significantly greater than the corresponding values in other one without MB2.
Conclusion: The results showed that the buccolingual width of mesiobuccal root in maxillary first
molars at the CEJ level and mid‑root was correlated with the number of root canals.
Key Words: Cone‑beam computed tomography, maxilla, molar, morphology, root canal