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OR19 - Morphometric Analysis of Premolars and Its Relevance to Root Canal Anatomy

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM CT

Location: E353B (Level 3)

Presenter(s)

James DeGracie, D.D.S.

Resident
Virginia Commonwealth University
Chesterfield, Virginia

Disclosure information not submitted.

Co-Author(s)

Caroline Carrico, Ph.D.

Biostatistician
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia

Disclosure information not submitted.
Garry Myers, D.D.S.

Endodontics Program Director
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia, Virginia

Disclosure information not submitted.
Parthasarathy Madurantakam, D.D.S., M.D.S., Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia

Disclosure information not submitted.
Amber Ather, D.D.S., B.D.S., M.D.S., M.S.

Assistant Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia

Disclosure information not submitted.

Introduction: Endodontic management of premolars can be challenging due to their small size and often complex root canal anatomy. While the majority of premolars present with one or two root canals, the presence of more than two root canals has been reported in dental literature.

Objective: The objective of this study was to perform a morphometric analysis of 100 premolars to calculate and establish a “root to crown width ratio” (RCWR) to predict the presence of more than two canals.

Methods: Morphometric analysis of 100 upper and lower premolars was conducted using both paralleling periapical (PA) radiographs and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Maximum mesiodistal crown width (MCW) and the maximum mesiodistal root width (measured at mid or apical one third of root) (MRW) were recorded. Three examiners conducted the morphometric analysis and RCWR was calculated by dividing the MRW by the MCW. CBCT scans were used as the definitive modality to establish the root canal anatomy of the tooth. Associations between the RCWR and number of root canals was conducted using a one-way ANOVA at 0.05 significance level.

Results: The RCWR for premolars with three canals was significantly larger when compared to premolars with one/two canals (0.70 vs 0.58, p = 0.0273). PA radiograph RCWR measurements tended to be larger than the CBCT (0.02, 95% CI: 0.00-0.05), but not significantly different (p = 0.07).

Conclusion: Root width approximating the mesiodistal width of crown might be associated with the presence of more than two root canals in premolars.