• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.383-388
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the root canal morphology of mesial roots of mandibular first molars. Materials and Methods: Forty extracted mandibular first molars were used in this study. The morphological examination of root canals was conducted in accordance with the Vertucci classification using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Any aberrant root canal configurations not included in the Vertucci classification were recorded, and their frequency was established using descriptive statistics. Intra-observer reliability was assessed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, while inter-observer reliability was assessed using the Cohen kappa test. Significance was evaluated at the P<0.05 level. Results: The mesial roots of mandibular first molars had canal configurations of type I (15%), type II (7.5%), type III (25%), type IV (10%), type V (2.5%), type VI (7.5%), and type VII (7.5%). The images showed 10 (25%) additional configuration types that were not included in the Vertucci classification. These types were 1-3-2-3, 1-2-3-2-3, 2-3-1, 2-3, 1-2-3-1, 2-1-2-3, 3-2-1, 1-2-3-1, 2-3-2-3, and 1-2-1-2-1. The intra-observer differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05) and the kappa value for inter-observer agreement was found to be 0.957. Conclusion: Frequent variations were detected in mesial roots of mandibular first molars. Clinicians should take into consideration the complex structure of the root canal morphology before commencing root canal treatment procedures to prevent iatrogenic complications. Micro-CT was a highly suitable method to provide accurate 3-dimensional visualizations of root canal morphology.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2013

Purpose: Preoperative radiographic assessment of the mandibular third molars is essential to prevent inferior alveolar nerve damage during extraction. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of panoramic signs of association between the roots of teeth and the canal, and to compare the panoramic signs with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) findings. Materials and Methods: CBCT images of 132 impacted mandibular third molars were evaluated to determine the association of the root to the canal. The CBCT findings were compared with the corresponding panoramic images. Logistic regression analysis was used to define the diagnostic criteria of the panoramic images. Results: Among the panoramic signs, loss of the cortical line was the most frequent radiographic sign predicting association (sensitivity: 79.31). Contact of the tooth with the canal was observed in all cases in which the loss of cortical line of the canal or darkening of the roots was found on the panoramic radiographs. Conclusion: Darkening of the roots and loss of the cortical line on panoramic radiographs might be highly suggestive of the risk of nerve injury.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of endodontic treatment of mandibular second molar with C-shaped canal in elderly patients and related factors affecting the survival of the tooth. Materials and Methods: From 2010 to 2015, the survival rate following endodontic treatment was evaluated in elderly patients over 60 years who visited the Veterans Health Service Medical Center for endodontic treatment. The presence of C-shaped canals was confirmed using clinical records and radiographic features. Patient's age, sex, systemic diseases, tooth location, vitality, signs and symptoms, fractures, caries, apical radiolucency, canal shaping methods, sealer leakage, filling voids, and restoration of prosthesis were included in the analyses as confounding variables. The survival rate of teeth was analyzed using Kaplan-Meire analysis and the relationship between the survival rate and variables was analyzed using Simple and Multiple Cox regression analysis. Result: In total, 107 teeth in elderly patients had C-shaped canal. The survival rate of teeth that received endodontic treatment was 63.70%. None of the factors investigated significantly influenced the survival rate (P>0.05). Conclusion: In elderly patients with C-shaped canal, the survival rate after root canal treatment was not significantly different from that of other mandibular molars.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2003

Purpose: To compare the measurements of the mandible and the detectability of the mandibular canal on reformatted images using a newly developed 3-dimensional implant simulation program with traditionally used CT multiplanar reconstruction program and true measurements. Materials and Methods: Ten dry dog mandibles were used in this study. Occlusal templates for CT examination were fabricated and marked with gutta perch a at ten sites. Axial CT scans were taken and reconstructed using DentaScan (D group) and Vimplant program (V group), and each mandible was sectioned at the previously marked sites (R group). Maximum vertical height (H) and maximum width (W) of the mandible, the distances from buccal border of the mandibular canal to the most buccal aspect of the mandible (X), and the distance from the superior border of the mandibular canal to the alveolar crest (Y) were measured, and the mandibular measurements in each group were compared. Detectability of mandibular canal was evaluated using a 3-point scale in both V and D groups by three oral radiologists and compared. Results: H in the V group was slightly greater than that in the D group, and Wand X in the V group was slightly less than those in the D group. H in the V group was less than that in the R group, and Wand X in the V group was larger than those in the R group. The detectability of the mandibular canal did not show statistically significant differences between V and D groups. Conclusion: The results of the experiment show that the newly developed, inexpensive Vimplant/TM/ simulation program can be used as an alternative to the traditionally used, and more expensive CT multiplanar reconstruction program.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1.1-1.9
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of radix molaris (RM) (entomolaris and paramolaris) in the mandibular first permanent molars of a sample Saudi Arabian subpopulation using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: A total of 884 CBCT images of 427 male and 457 female Saudi citizens (age 16 to 70 years) were collected from the radiology department archives of 4 dental centers. A total of 450 CBCT images of 741 mature mandibular first molars that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. The images were viewed at high resolution by 3 examiners and were analyzed with Planmeca Romexis software (version 5.2). Results: Thirty-three (4.5%) mandibular first permanent molars had RM, mostly on the distal side. The incidence of radix entomolaris (EM) was 4.3%, while that of radix paramolaris was 0.3%. The RM roots had one canal and occurred more unilaterally. No significant difference in root configuration was found between males and females (p > 0.05). Types I and III EM root canal configurations were most common, while type B was the only RP configuration observed. Conclusions: The incidence of RM in the mandibular first molars of this Saudi subpopulation was 4.5%. Identification of the supernumerary root can avoid missing the canal associated with the root during root canal treatment.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.346-349
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• 2009

Mandibular second molars have many variations in canal configuration. Technical modifications in cleaning, shaping and obturation are required. The purpose of this study was to investigate the root canal anatomy of mandibular second molars. 86 teeth of 85 patients were accessed and evaluated with taking radiographs for working length determination. 27 teeth(31.4%) had C-shaped canals, 43 teeth(50%) had 3 canals, 11 teeth(12.7%) had 4 canals, 5 teeth(5.8%) had 2 canals. Incidence of C-shaped canal was 31.7% in male and 31.1% in female. 30.9% of left mandibular second molar and 31.8% of right mandibular second molar showed C-shaped canals.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.42.1-42.7
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the C-shaped root canal anatomy of mandibular second molars in a Korean population. Materials and Methods: A total of 542 teeth were evaluated using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The canal shapes were classified according to a modified version of Melton's method at the level where the pulp chamber floor became discernible. Results: Of the 542 mandibular second molars, 215 (39.8%) had C-shaped canals, 330 (53%) had 3 canals, 17 (3.3%) had 2 canals, 12 (2.2%) had 4 canals, and 8 (1.7%) had 1 canal. The prevalence of C-shaped canals was 47.8% in females and 28.4% in males. Seventy-seven percent of the C-shaped canals showed a bilateral appearance. The prevalence of C-shaped canals showed no difference according to age or tooth position. Most teeth with a C-shaped canal system presented Melton's type II (45.6%) and type III (32.1%) configurations. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of C-shaped canals in the mandibular second molars of the Korean population studied. CBCT is expected to be useful for endodontic diagnosis and treatment planning of mandibular second molars.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.54 no.11
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• pp.874-879
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• 2016

Damage to the inferior alveolar nerve(IAN) is a relatively infrequent complication in endodontic treatment. However, endodontic overfilling involving the mandibular canal may cause an injury of the inferior alveolar nerve resulting in sensory disturbances such as pain, dysesthesia, paresthesia or anesthesia. Two mechanism(chemical neurotoxicity and mechanical compression) are responsible for the IAN injury. When absorbent materials overfilled, it can be treated as a non-surgical procedure. But early surgical intervention required when mechanical, chemical nerve damage expected. We report surgical removal of overfilled gutta-percha and IAN decompression through sagittal split osteotomy in case of dysesthesia after overfilling of endodontic material into the mandibular canal. Dysesthesia recovered 3 months after surgical treatment.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.400-408
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to identify the most common canal type in primary molars and the correlation between their roots and canals. A comprehensive understanding of root canal morphology will lead to more successful root canal treatment. Computed Tomography (CT) images from 114 children (81 boys, 33 girls) aged 3 - 7 years were obtained. The locations and numbers of roots and canals were evaluated, and the relationship between root and canal parameters was determined. The most commonly observed canal morphology in primary maxillary molars were mesio-buccal, disto-buccal and palatal canal. Primary mandibular molars most frequently contain mesio-buccal, mesio-lingual, disto-buccal and distolingual canal. All the roots of the primary maxillary molars except for the mesio-buccal root, each had 1 canal while there were 2 canals observed in each root of primary mandibular molars. Without exception, all mesial roots in primary mandibular 2nd molars had 2 canals. In case when either the palatal root in a primary maxillary molar or the distal root in a primary mandibular molar was separated into 2 roots, each root seemed to have its own canal. Even though the disto-buccal and palatal roots were fused into 1 root in primary maxillary molars, this fused root had tendency to have 2 separate canals. Primary mandibular molars showed similar canal morphologies between left and right molars in the same patient, while the primary maxillary molars did not.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.262-270
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• 2016

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the healing rate of non-surgical endodontic treatment between C-shaped and non-C-shaped mandibular second molars. Materials and Methods: Clinical records and radiological images of patients who had undergone endodontic treatment on mandibular second molars between 2007 and 2014 were screened. The periapical index scoring system was applied to compare healing outcomes. Information about preoperative and postoperative factors as well as the demographic data of the patients was acquired and evaluated using chi-square and multinomial logistic regression tests. Results: The total healing rate was 68.4%. Healing rates for the mandibular second molar were 70.9% in C-shaped canals (n = 79) and 66.6% in non-C-shaped ones (n = 117). The difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The presence of a C-shaped canal in the mandibular second molar did not have a significantly negative effect on healing after treatment. Instead, proper pulpal diagnosis and final restoration were indicated as having significantly greater influence on the healing outcomes of C-shaped and non-C-shaped canals, respectively.