INCIDENCE OF MID MESIAL CANAL IN MANDIBULAR FIRST MOLAR - A SPLIT MOUTH CBCT STUDY

Abstract

Mandibular molars have a complex root canal anatomy. Two canals in mesial root and one to two canals in distal root as common occurrence. The mid-mesial canal an occasional entry lies in the developmental groove between the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canal. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of mid-mesial canal in the mandibular first molars through CBCT scan. A total of 50 CBCT scans were obtained from the Radiology department of Saveetha Dental College. A total of 100 mandibular first molars were assessed. The data obtained were tabulated in excel and subjected to Chi-square test using SPSS software. A total of 20 mandibular first molars had mid-mesial canal which accounts for 20%. 80% of the patients lacked a mid-mesial canal. The study was not statistically significant as the p value was found to be 1.00 > 0.05. The failure of the endodontic treatment can be reduced by using three dimensional radiographs like CBCT which provide to be a valuable adjunct in negotiating middle mesial canals. In this split mouth analysis it was found that a patient with mid-mesial canal in mandibular right first molars also had the mid-mesial canal on the left first molar.