Evaluation of root canal morphology of mandibular premolars in a Saudi population using cone beam computed tomography: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the root canal morphology of mandibular first and second premolars using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in a Saudi population. METHODS: CBCT images of 707 patients, number of roots and canal configuration were identified and categorized according to Vertucci classification. Bilateral symmetry and association between gender and number of roots, as well as gender and root canal configuration were investigated. RESULTS: Majority of the patients had one root and type I root canal configuration in mandibular first (96.4%) and second premolar (95.6%). All types of canal configurations were observed except Type VII for the mandibular first premolar, and Types VI and VII for the mandibular second premolar. High degree of bilateral symmetry was seen in both mandibular first and second premolars in terms of the number of roots and canal configuration; 93.8% and 97.8%, respectively. There was an association between gender and number of roots (P = 0.04) and gender and root canal configuration in mandibular first premolar (P = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Single-root with type I canal configuration was the most prevalent of mandibular premolars in the Saudi population. However, incidence of more than one root with different canal configurations was detected.