Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The study aims to eval-uate maxillary molars' root and root canal mor-phology among the Saudi population using Cone -Beam Computed Tomography scanning (CBCT).SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, the CBCT scans of 483 Saudi nationals were evaluated to identify the number of roots and root canals in maxillary first and second mo-lars. The records were tabulated and classified according to Vertucci and a new system for root and canal classification given by Ahmed and Dummer. Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the data statistically. To check for symmetry, comparisons were made between all the maxil-lary first molars (MFM's) and maxillary second molars (MSM's) on opposing quadrants. Inter Observer variability was seen using Cohen's Kappa test.RESULTS: MFM's presented with three roots with Type II Vertucci canal configuration (VC) com-monly seen among them. MSM's had more varia-tions in the number of roots and canals, although three roots and Type I VC were predominantly seen. When comparing the two genders statisti-cally significant difference was observed in both maxillary molars at a 5% level using Fisher's exact test. Three roots with four canals (3R4C) were predominantly observed in the MFM's (85.6%) and three roots with three canals (3R3C) identified in 51.95% were more common than 3R4C (43.55%) in MSM's. Both the maxillary molars bilaterally, exhibited a high percentage of symmetry in root and canal configurations.CONCLUSIONS: Identification of root canal morphology of molars would reduce the chanc-es of root canal failures by making sure all ca-nals are obturated. This study provides supple-mental information about the root canals of max-illary molars in a Saudi Arabian subpopulation.