Three-Dimensional Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Assessment of Additional Canals of Permanent first Molars: A Pinocchio for Successful Root Canal Treatment

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of additional canals in the first permanent molars of the participants of Saudi, Jordanian, and Egyptian population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, CBCT scans of 139 patients were collected who were implant treated at College of Dentistry, Al Jouf University, Saudi Arabia, from October 2016 to March 2017. The images were analyzed using On-Demand 3D software. A pilot study was done to prevent intra-examiner error, and two calibrated examiners independently assessed 20% randomly selected CBCT images. Gender and racial disparities were analyzed using Chi-square test. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of additional canal in U16, U26, L36, and L46 of Saudi population was 41.80%, 41.80%, 17.30%, and 19.10%, respectively. In Jordanian participants, no additional canals were found in both mandibular first molars whereas only one participant from Egypt had additional canal in both mandibular first molars. Moreover, significant associations were found between L36 (P = 0.015) and L46 (P = 0.008) with gender. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the results of this study provide the information about the prevalence of additional canal in the first permanent molars, which will help and guide the clinicians while performing root canal treatment and also may help them increase the success rate of root canal treatment of the first permanent molars.