Cone beam computed tomography evaluation of root canal morphology of maxillary premolars in North-West sub-population of Pakistan

OBJECTIVES: To determine the number and configuration of canals in permanent maxillary premolars using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and the relationship between canals count and patient gender in northwest region of Pakistan. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Khyber College of Dentistry (KCD) Peshawar, Pakistan. Data was collected from July 1st to 30th December 2020, using 133 patient’s CBCT scans with 266 maxillary premolar teeth. Roots and canals frequency as well as configurations were analyzed using Vertucci canal classification. CBCT images were obtained from Radiology department of KCD. Data were analyzed using SPSS-23 software, RESULTS: Type-I Vertucci's canal composition was most common in first premolars (45.4%), followed by Type-IV (25.9%). Type-I was the most frequent find in second premolars (64.2%), followed by Type-III (15.4%). In Maxillary first premolars, 247 (92.8%) were single-rooted and 19 (7.14%) were two-rooted. In maxillary second premolars, 155 (57.9%) were single-rooted, 110 (41.3%) were two-rooted, and one (0.37%) was three-rooted. In first & second premolar, single-root was the commonest root among males (92.7% & 58.4%) and females (30.8% and 19%) respectively. Gender-based difference in canal count in all premolars was not-significant. Mean tooth length of first and second premolar was 19.40±2.035 mm and 20.08±2.395 mm respectively. Mean crown length of first and second premolar was 6.05±0.752 mm and 5.69±0.505 mm respectively. CONCLUSION: Most of the maxillary first and second premolars had Vertucci classification Type-I configuration. Gender-based diversity for number of canals was not-significant. All Vertucci canal configuration types were observed in maxillary premolars.