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The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MB2 canals in permanent maxillary molars utilising CBCT; in patients attending a university hospital. A total of 200 patient scans, (100 female and 100 male patients), were enrolled in the study. In total, 800 teeth were analysed, and teeth with additional canals in their MB roots (MB2) were identified. First maxillary molar teeth exhibited the highest prevalence of MB2 canals, 92% and 87%, for teeth 16 and 26, respectively. Second maxillary molar teeth showed a lower prevalence of MB2 canals, 69% and 65%, for the 17 and 27, respectively. There were no associations of significance between the prevalence of MB2 canals and patient age or gender. Root morphology and anatomy of permanent maxillary first and second molar teeth was found to be highly variable. The prevalence of additional canals in the MB roots is a frequent finding which has previously been underreported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine whether a CBCT volume can aid in the location of MB2 canals in maxillary molars. Methodology This prospective clinical study involved 50 patients that needed RCT on a maxillary molar. The teeth where the MB2 was located upon access with the dental operating microscope received routine root canal treatment, and teeth where MB2 was not located had a CBCT volume made after instrumenting the located canals. At the second appointment, the clinician used the aid of the CBCT volume and troughing to attempt to locate MB2. Results The clinicians located MB2 upon initial access in 70% ( n = 35) of teeth. In the remaining 15 teeth, CBCT and troughing located MB2 53% of the time in that group (8/15 teeth). Overall, MB2 was located in 86% of the 50 first and second maxillary molars (maxillary first molars 90% and maxillary second molars 73%). A total of 15 CBCT volumes were made, and of these teeth, 33% of MB2 canals (5/15 teeth) were visualized on the CBCT volume. Conclusions This prospective clinical study showed that the effectiveness of using CBCT to locate additional MB2 canals in maxillary molars appears limited. The use of the dental operating microscope in conjunction with selective troughing and CBCT imaging allowed clinicians to locate 90% (maxillary first molars) and 73% (maxillary second molars) of MB2 canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To investigate variations in root canal configuration in the maxillary permanent molar teeth of a Chinese subpopulation using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methodology A total of 269 patients with healthy, untreated, well-developed maxillary molars were enrolled, including those suffering facial trauma, and those who required a pre-operative assessment for implants. Radiographic examination by CBCT was conducted as part of their routine examination, diagnosis and treatment planning. Overall, 299 maxillary first and 210 maxillary second molar teeth were examined in vivo by CBCT. The number of roots, the number of canals per root, the canal configuration and the presence of additional mesiobuccal canals were recorded. Vertucci's classification for root-canal configurations was utilized. Results All maxillary first molars had three separate roots; however, 52% of mesiobuccal (MB) roots had two canals with the remainder having one. All distobuccal and palatal roots had Vertucci Type I canal configurations. When the MB2 canal was present, 14, 69 and 16% of MB roots had Type II, IV and V canal configurations, respectively. The root canal system of the maxillary first molar teeth could be categorized into two variants: one with three separate roots with one canal in each of the distobuccal and palatal roots and two canals in the MB root, and the other with three separate roots with one canal in each root. Of 210 maxillary second molars, 10% had one root, 8% two roots and 81% three roots. Of the MB roots, 22% had two canals with the remainder having one. When the MB2 canal was present, 18%, 58%, 10% and 3% of MB roots had type II, IV, V and VI canal configurations, respectively. The root canal system of the maxillary second molar could be categorized into eight variants. Conclusions Mesiobucccal roots of maxillary molar teeth had more variation in their canal system than the distobuccal or palatal roots. The root canal configuration of the maxillary second molars was more variable than that of the first molars. CBCT can enhance detection and mapping of the mesiobuccal root-canal system with the potential to improve the quality of root canal treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]