Quantitative Analysis of the Anatomy of Mesial Roots of Mandibular First Molars With Vertucci Type I Root Canal Configuration by Means of Micro-Computed Tomography

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the root canal morphology of Vertuccitype I root canal configuration detected in mesial roots of mandibularfirst molar teeth using micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT).Methodology: Micro-CT datasets of 269 specimens were evaluated forthe detection of specimens with Vertucci type I root canal configurationfor further analysis. Major and minor diameter, area, perimeter androundness of root canal cross-sections at the beginning and midline ofeach root thirds were measured and recorded. The presence of apicaldelta, accessory canals, and deviation of major apical foramen fromanatomical apex were investigated. Data was analyzed using descriptiveanalysis, ANOVA-Tukey, and Kruskal-Wallis H-Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.Results: Vertucci type I canal configuration was present in the 4.46% ofthe specimens. The specimens often showed accessory root canals (50%)and apical deltas (41,6%). From the visual analysis of the 3D and 2Dimages, significant differences were detected among coronal, middle andapical thirds of the specimens regarding major and minor diameter, area,perimeter, and roundness (p<0.05).Conclusion: Three- and two-dimensional analyses of mesial roots withVertucci type I canal configuration indicated that this type ofconfiguration presents large buccolingual diameters with long oval shapeand has isthmus at coronal and middle thirds. At the apical third the rootcanals often terminate in an oval cross-sectional shape.