Evaluation of C‑shaped canals in mandibular second molars of a selected patient group using cone beam computed tomography: prevalence, confguration and radicular groove types

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence, symmetry and confgurations of C-shaped canals and radicular groove types in mandibular second molars according to age and sex in a Turkish sub-population using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). In total, 674 CBCT images (368 females and 306 males, aged 18–76 years) of 1348 mandibular second molars were evaluated. The symmetry, confguration of C-shaped root canals, radicular groove types with age and sex were noted. One sample chi-square test and chi-square test were used to determine statistically signifcant diferences. The statistical signifcance level was set at p<0.05. Of the 1348 mandibular second molars evaluated, 10.7% had C-shaped root canals. C-shaped root canals appeared to be signifcantly more common in females than in males (p<0.05). C1 (44.4%) was the most frequent confguration in the coronal third, and C2 (44.4%), and C4 (31.9%) were the most frequent confgurations in middle and apical thirds, respectively. Type 2 (45.1%) was the most common radicular groove type (p<0.05). The frequency of C-shaped root canals in mandibular second molars in a Turkish sub-population was considerably high (10.7%). CBCT can aid the detection of C-shaped canals and their confgurations. Dentists should consider the possibility of C-shaped canals in root canal treatment of mandibular second molars, as these confgurations have implications for biomechanical preparation and flling methods.