Root form and clinical radiographic estimation of the number of root canals in maxillary first and second premolars among Nigerians

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to document the root form and the clinical radiographic estimation of the number of root canals in maxillary first and second premolars. The root form of 100 extracted maxillary premolars, the pre-operative radiographic estimation and clinical radiographic determination of the number of root canals in 340 maxillary premolars of Nigerian patients attending the dental hospital for endodontic treatment were studied. The maxillary second premolars had one root in 60% and two roots in 34% of cases. 18.4% had one canal (Vertucci type I). 35.3% had two canals with one apical foramen (Vertucci type II), while 46.3% had two canals with separate apical foramina (Vertucci type IV). Result of the correlation of the pre-operative radiographic impression with clinical findings indicates a significant positive relationship (maxillary second premolars r = 0.07307, p < 0.001). In Nigerians, the maxillary second premolar may be single rooted but most of the time it has two canals.

Keywords: root form, radiographic, root canals

Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 49(4) 2006: 68-71