Root and Root Canal Morphology Differences Between Genders: A Comprehensive in-vivo CBCT Study in a Saudi Population

OBJECTIVES: To comprehensively explore the differences of all maxillary and mandibular permanent teeth in relation to number of roots, number of root canals, and root canal configuration between both genders in a Saudi Arabian population. METHODS: This retrospective radiographic study comprised 208 subjects (48% males and 52% females) with a mean age 28.74±9.56 years. The CBCT images of the recruited subjects were evaluated for all permanent teeth. A careful examination was obtained by optimal visualization using all the software features. The data were analyzed using SPSS software program. Cohen’s Kappa test was used for reliability and the Chi-squared test of association was used for the differences between both genders in relation to the study variables. A P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 5254 maxillary and mandibular permanent teeth were evaluated. In relation to number of roots, there were no significant differences between both genders for all maxillary and mandibular teeth together (P= 0.064) as well as for maxillary and mandibular teeth separately (P= 0.315 and P= 0.100, respectively). A significant difference was found between males and females in relation to the number of canals of maxillary teeth (P= 0.014). For mandibular teeth, the significant level of difference was at the cut-off point (P= 0.050). For all maxillary and mandibular teeth together, the distribution among both genders was not significant (P= 0.082). The difference between both genders with regard to canal configuration of maxillary roots was highly statistically significant (P< 0.001). For mandibular teeth, the difference between males and females in relation canal configuration of anterior and premolar teeth was significant (P= 0.016) while, the difference was not significant when related to mesial roots of 1(st) and 2(nd) molars (P= 0.205). However, the difference was highly significant when related to distal roots of 1(st) and 2(nd) molars (P< 0.001). CONCLUSION: No significant differences between both genders in relation to number of roots were found. Regarding the number of canals, significant differences were found only in three groups out of 14 groups of teeth with females who had a smaller number of canals than males. For canal configuration, two groups of maxillary teeth and three groups of mandibular teeth showed statistically significant differences between both genders.