Essentials of Dentistry
Original Articles

C-Shaped Canal Prevalence and Morphology in Maxillary Molar Teeth: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography Evaluation

1.

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Ege University, School of Dentistry, İzmir, Türkiye

2.

Department of Statistics, Ege University, School of Science, İzmir, Türkiye

3.

Department of Endodontics, Ege University, School of Dentistry, İzmir, Türkiye

Essentials of Dentistry 2024; 3: 100-105
DOI: 10.5152/EssentDent.2024.24009
Read: 233 Downloads: 165 Published: 23 October 2024

Background: The aim was to evaluate the prevalence and morphology of the C-shaped root canal(s) in maxillary molar teeth using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

Methods: In 2024, the maxillary CBCT volumes of 475 patients were evaluated for C-shaped canal morphology at 3 different axial levels of the molar roots. Classification of the C-shaped canal was done according to the root fusion type, followed by consecutive axial slices with an upper-C (UC)1 or UC2 configuration. The Z-test for proportions in independent groups was used to analyze the differences between location (left and right sides) and tooth (first or second upper molars). The chi-square test was used to compare root fusion types (P=.05).

Results: C-shaped canal morphology was found in 4.89% of 797 maxillary molars. C-shaped canal was encountered in 8% of maxillary second and 2% of maxillary first molars. Six different types of UC configurations were observed, with type-A canal structure (23%) having the highest occurrence (P > .05). UC1 configuration was more common in the second molars at the middle (P=.017) and apical levels (P=.007).

Conclusion: Despite the low prevalence, high complexity in morphology requires the attention of clinicians regarding C-shaped maxillary molars to avoid failures and complications.

Cite this article as: Ulusoy AC, Aslan E, Baksı BG, Mert A, Şen BH. C-shaped canal prevalence and morphology in maxillary molar teeth: a cone beam computed tomography evaluation. Essent Dent. 2024;3(3):100-105.

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