Objective. The aim of the study was to investigate the root canal morphology of maxillary first and second premolars in a Saudi population using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT).Methods. This retrospective cross-sectional study assessed CBCT images of 707 Saudi patients. The number of roots and canal configuration were identified based on Vertucci’s classification. Fisher’s exact Chi-square tests were performed to analyze the association between sex and number of roots and sex and root canal configuration.Results. Most teeth had two roots in maxillary first premolars (75.1%) and one root in maxillary second premolars (85.2%). Type IV was the most prevalent canal configuration in maxillary first premolars (69.1%), while Type I was the most in maxillary second premolars (49.4%). All types of canal configurations were observed in maxillary premolars except Type VII for the maxillary second premolar. Chi-square tests showed no significant association between gender and number of roots and sex and root canal configuration in both maxillary first and second premolars although higher number of roots was seen in men (P > 0.05).Conclusion. Most maxillary first premolars had two roots with Type IV being the most predominant canal configuration, while a single root with Type I canal configuration was the most frequently observed morphology in maxillary second premolars. In maxillary first premolars, 21.3% had one canal apically, 75.4% had two canals apically, and 3.3% had three canals apically. In maxillary second premolars, 80.2% had one canal apically, 18.9% had two canals apically, and 0.9% had three canals apically.

To investigate the root canal morphology of mandibular first and second premolars using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in a Saudi population. CBCT images of 707 patients, number of roots and canal configuration were identified and categorized according to Vertucci classification. Bilateral symmetry and association between gender and number of roots, as well as gender and root canal configuration were investigated. Majority of the patients had one root and type I root canal configuration in mandibular first (96.4%) and second premolar (95.6%). All types of canal configurations were observed except Type VII for the mandibular first premolar, and Types VI and VII for the mandibular second premolar. High degree of bilateral symmetry was seen in both mandibular first and second premolars in terms of the number of roots and canal configuration; 93.8% and 97.8%, respectively. There was an association between gender and number of roots (P = 0.04) and gender and root canal configuration in mandibular first premolar (P = 0.030). Single-root with type I canal configuration was the most prevalent of mandibular premolars in the Saudi population. However, incidence of more than one root with different canal configurations was detected.

The prevalence of the middle distal (MD) canal in the mandibular molar is significantly low among countries including the USA, Spain, Turkey, and Jordan; however, analysis of its prevalence and configuration has not been performed in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we aimed to assess the prevalence and configuration of the MD canal in Saudi Arabia. A retrospective analysis of 132 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images was performed to evaluate the presence of the MD canal in patients visiting the Radiology Department of The College of Dentistry in King Saud University between July 2018 and July 2019. The canal was examined if it was confluent with the distobuccal (DB) or distolingual (DL) canals, fin, or independent. Moreover, the distances from the MD canal to the DL and DB canals and cementoenamel junction (CEJ) were recorded. One MD canal (0.7%) was observed in 145 teeth. It was confluent with the DL canal. No statistical significance was observed among sex and age. The distances from the MD canal to the DL canal, DB canal, and CEJ were 1.4 mm, 1.9 mm, and 3.1 mm, respectively. The prevalence of the MD canal was significantly low in a Saudi subpopulation (0.7%). Careful evaluation of CBCT images and the pulpal floor is significantly important to detect the MD canal to ensure a good prognosis.

Erminus and the width of the canal at the area of the division of type V configuration (Vertucci's classification) in premolar teeth using CBCT. Materials and Methods: Sevend hundered and seven CBCT images of the mandibular and maxillary premolars were screened for having type V configuration. The distance from CEJ to canal terminus and the width of the canal in the area of the division were measured. Age and gender were also recorded. Data were statistically analyzed. The statistical significance level was set at P < 0.05. Results: Maxillary second premolar teeth exhibited the shortest median distance from CEJ to the point of separation of the canal (3.86 mm) and the smallest width at the area of division (mean 1.86 ± 0.33 mm). No significant differences were observed in the distance nor width between genders in all teeth (P = 0.662 and 0.465, respectively). Moreover, no correlation was found between age and distance nor age and width of the canal (P = 0.89 and 0.95, respectively). Conclusion: The measurements give a general guideline for a more quantitative approach to endodontic access preparation for premolar teeth with type V configuration....

Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research aims to publish findings of doctors at grass root level and post graduate students, so that all unique medical experiences are recorded in literature.

Background: Temporary restorations are necessary for preventing coronal leakage during and after treatment completion and must provide an effective barrier against salivary contamination of the root canal system. Endodontic spacers also help remove temporary restoration by avoiding the chances of unwanted intact tooth structure loss and perforation on the floor of the pulp chamber and prevent temporary restorative materials entrapment into the root canals resulting in canal blockage. However, the cotton pellet placed between the temporary and the root canal orifice can compromise the coronal seal by the reduction in thickness of temporary restoration. Objective: The primary aim of this investigation was to determine the most common temporary restoration used during and after endodontic treatment. The secondary aim is to know the percent preference for restorations with double seal and the frequency of spacer used. Methods: Four hundred fifty online questionnaires comprising 15 (four demographic questions and eleven questions related to the study objective) were sent to endodontists in Saudi Arabia via WhatsApp and Twitter. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05 when assessed using a chi-square test. Results: About 370 (82.22%) participants completed the survey. Glass ionomer cement (GIC) was most used as a temporary restoration among endodontists for both the anterior (53%) and posterior teeth (49.7%; P=0.001). In double seal, Cavit was most used as the temporary restoration, which was placed below the seal exposed orally 56.2% (P=0.001). GIC was most used as coronal seal material placed over Cavit in 71.9% of the participants (P=0.001). About 56.2% of the endodontists placed cotton pellets between visits but not after obturation (P=0.001). Polytetrafluoroethylene tape instead of cotton pellet was preferred by 30.3% of the participants (P=0.001). Conclusion: Glass ionomer cement (GIC) was most used as a temporary restoration. In double seal, GIC was most used as coronal seal material placed over Cavit. A pulp spacer was found to be the most commonly used between visits but not after obturation.