Location angle of second mesio-buccal canal in maxillary molars of an Indian population: an in vivo retrospective CBCT evaluation and proposal of a new classification

BACKGROUND: The current investigation was designed for predicting the location angle of second mesio-buccal root canal in permanent maxillary (first and second) molars with the aid of proposed measuring points and line using cone beam computed tomography in an Indian population. METHODS: Three-hundred and twenty-four scans of permanent maxillary (first (n = 162) and second (n = 162)) molars with mesio-buccal 2 root canals and unassociated to the current evaluation were acquired. The maxillary molars were viewed with CSI imaging software. The images were captured and were further assessed using 3D Slicer. The assessment included of measuring the distance between the main mesio-buccal and mesio-buccal 2 canal and the angle at which the MB2 it is located utilizing proposed lines joining the disto-buccal and palatal canals. The data was tabulated for the incidence of various angles where the MB2 is located and MB-MB2 distance was determined. The angles denoted were either positive; I (0.1° to 1.9°), II (2° to 4°), III (>4°) or negative I (−0.1° to −1.9°), II (−2° to −4°), III (>−4°). On the data tabulated a new Banga Vhorkate and Pawar’s (BVP’s) angular classification for maxillary molars was proposed. RESULTS: The existence of positive angle III was found in 41.35% of maxillary first molars (36 right and 31 left of 162), whereas positive angle II appeared in 41.98% of maxillary second molars (32 right and 36 left of 162). The MB1–MB2 in maxillary 1(st) molar is seen to be 3.12–3.31 mm and this distance in maxillary 2(nd) molar is 2.8–3.1 mm. The disto-buccal to palatal canal orifice mean distance was 5.06–5.22 mm in maxillary first molars and 4.9–5.8 mm in maxillary second molars. CONCLUSION: Accurate diagnosis of the location of second mesio-buccal canal increases the success rate of endodontic treatment and a better prognosis. The new proposed classification may be considerably helpful in the urge to locate the mesio-buccal 2 canal.