The aim of this study is to describe the morphological characteristics, the number of roots and number of root canals of mandibular central incisors, lateral incisors and canines, and the relationship of these characteristics with the sex and the jaw side where the tooth is located, in the Serbian population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT images of a total of 902 mandible front teeth, including 296 central incisors, 294 lateral incisors and 312 canines were analyzed in the database. For assessing the morphology of the root canal, Vertucci method of classification was used. Central incisors had two canals in 27%, similar as lateral incisor which had two canals in 26.5%. Mandibular canines had two canals in 7.1% and there was a significant difference between genders. The most prevalent root canal configuration type in all mandibular anterior teeth was type I. In the groups of mandibular incisors with two root canals the most common was type III. In the group of mandibular canines with two root canals, type V had the greatest occurrence. Most mandibular anterior teeth had one root canal. Two root canals were found in 27% of the mandibular incisors. There is a significant difference in root morphology between genders. It is important for dental practitioner to expect different morphological variations when performing endodontic treatment. More studies are needed to further define morphological characteristics of roots of mandibular anterior teeth in Serbian population.

Background/Aim. For successful endodontic therapy, it is necessary to know root morphology. Therefore, the aim of our study was to analyze root canal morphology and root canal length of permanent molars in a Serbian population, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods. The study included a total of 305 maxillary molars, and 280 mandibular molars receiving cone-beam computed tomography examination and determined root numbers, canal morphology according to Vertucci classification, and canal lengths. Results were correlated with sex and tooth location in the jaw. Results. The mesiobuccal roots of first maxillary molars showed Vertucci type I in 45.7%, followed by type II in 29% of cases. For the second molar, Vertucci type I was found in 60.5% of cases in mesiobuccal canals. Palatal and distobuccal canals mostly presented Vertucci type I configuration. The mesial roots of mandibular molars had the highest frequency of two canals with Vertucci type IV as the most frequent for the first molar, and Vertucci type II for the second molar. Distal roots most commonly had one canal in both molars. Palatal canal length was the highest in maxillary first molars, with the mean value of 20.62 mm, while in second molars, the highest length value was for the mesiobuccal canal (20.09 mm). In both mandibular molars the mesial root canal was the longest one. Differences were found according to sex and tooth location in the jaw. Conclusion. Mesiobuccal roots of maxillary first molars had two canals; it was more frequently compared to second molars. Mesial roots of mandibular molars showed same frequency of two canals, and diversity in Vertucci types. Male patients tended to have higher complexity of root canal morphology compared to that of females. CBCT can improve understanding of the root canal morphology.

Introduction. The aim of this study was to establish the number of roots and present the root canal configuration in the maxillary and mandibular premolar teeth, and evaluate the relations among these characteristics with gender and teeth position in the Serbian population using cone-beam computed tomography. Material and Methods. Cone-beam computed tomography images of 570 teeth of 150 patients were evaluated. Teeth were classified into the following groups: maxillary first premolars, maxillary second premolars, mandibular first premolars and mandibular second premolars, and the number of roots and root canals per tooth, whereas root canal configurations were examined along with the tooth position and patients’ gender. The root canal configuration was classified using Vertucci’s classification. Statistical significance was obtained using Chi square test. Results. In maxillary first premolars, two roots (53.5%) and two root canals (84.5%) were the most prevalent, as well as type IV configuration (58.9%). In maxillary second premolars, most teeth had one root (88.1%) and one root canal (59.6%). In regard to gender, complex configurations with multiple canals were more prevalent in males. Higher incidence of type IV configuration in maxillary first premolars was present on the right side of the jaw (70.2%). Most mandibular first premolars had one root (98.5%). In mandibular second premolar, all teeth had one root and most had type I configuration (96.2%). Males showed higher incidence of two canals in mandibular first premolars. Conclusion. Cone-beam computed tomography is a useful tool for obtaining valuable information on root canal morphology of premolar teeth. Patient’s gender should be considered when performing the preoperative assessment of endodontic treatment.

Background/Aim. C-shaped canals are a complex morphological variation of the tooth root canal system that, if present, could greatly affect the outcome of endodontic therapy. The prevalence of these canal configurations varies between the populations of different ethnic and geographical origins. Therefore, the goal of this study was to analyze the prevalence and morphology of mandibular second molar C-shaped canals in the population of Central Serbia. Methods. The study included a total of 1 99 mandibular second molars receiving a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) examination and determining the presence of C-shaped canal systems, their configuration, minimal wall thickness and its relative position on axial cross-sections at the coronal, middle, and apical level. Results. The prevalence of C-shaped mandibular second molars was 5.53%. C1 canal configuration was the most frequent at the coronal cross-section, while C2 configuration was the most frequent at middle and apical cross-sections. Minimal wall thickness decreased going apically, with the mean value of 1.01 mm at the coronal, 0.87 mm at the middle, and 0 .67 mm at the apical cross-sections. Minimal wall thickness was mostly directed lingually at all cross-sectional levels. Conclusion. C-shaped canals should be expected in mandibular second molars of the population of Central Serbia. CBCT was shown to be the most valuable technique to determine C-shaped canals and facilitate understanding of the C-shaped canal morphology; its implementation could improve the success of endodontic therapy, especially if the complex root canal configuration is present.