Evaluation of Palatal Furcation Groove and Root Canal Anatomy of Maxillary First Premolar: A CBCT and Micro-CT Study

OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed at investigating the root and root canal morphology by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and palatal furcation groove of the buccal root by microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) of maxillary first premolars in a Chinese subpopulation. METHODS: This study assessed CBCT images of 440 patients aged 14-80 years. Based on Vertucci's classification, the number of roots and the canal configuration were determined. Forty-eight maxillary first premolars with furcation grooves were analyzed by micro-CT in patients aged 18-25 years. RESULTS: Based on the CBCT assay, 70.22% and 29.32% of maxillary first premolars were 1 root and 2 roots, respectively. The configuration indicated statistical difference (P < 0.05) between male and female patients. The most common canal type was type IV and was found in 44.32% of cases, followed by type I in 27.84%, and then type II in 20.57%. Root bifurcations had 40.13% prevalence which was distributed more in the middle third than in the cervical and the apical third. For the micro-CT study, 95.83% of the furcation groove configuration was found in the bifurcated maxillary first premolars. The length varied from 1.02 to 7.63 mm. The mean depth of this groove was 0.57 mm in the root coronal, 0.47 mm in the root middle, and 0.22 mm in the root apical level. Palatal dentin width was smaller than 1 mm. CONCLUSION: The anatomy of the root and root canal system and the irregular wall width of maxillary first premolars with furcation grooves may help dentists to understand the anatomical morphology and improve the outcomes of endodontic treatment.