Evaluation of Root Canal Morphology of Maxillary Permanent Premolars in Iraqi Subpopulations by Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Objective: The aim of the present study is to assess the root and root canal morphology of maxillary first premolars (MFP) and maxillary second premolars (MSP) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in an Iraqi subpopulation. Methods: One thousand five hundred and forty-eight maxillary permanent premolars (774 MFP and 774 MSP) from 387 CBCT scans with 182(47.03%) males and 205 (52.97%) females. The number of roots, orifices, and canal configuration were analyzed as frequencies and percentages using Vertucci’s classification. A Chi-square test was used to find the effect of gender and location on number of canals, orifices and root canal anatomy. Results: Most of the MFP had two roots (%60.9) and two orifices (87.6%) compared to MSP which had more one root (85.5%) and one orifice (73.8%). There was significant relation of gender to the number of the roots in both MFP and MSP (p< 0.05), with single root premolars more frequent in females. In regard to Vertucci’s classification, type IV was the most frequent configuration in MFP (58.8%), whereas in MSP, type I configuration recorded the highest percentage (64.3%). Conclusions: Good knowledge of the root canal configuration is one of the most significant factors for successful root canal treatment. Most MFP had two roots, with Type IV being the most predominant canal configuration, whereas the majority of MSP had one root with Type I canal configuration. Keywords: Cone-beam computed tomography, maxillary premolars, root canal morphology, Vertucci’s classification