The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the apical foramen morphology and the length of merged canal at the apex in type II root canal system.
This study included intact extracted maxillary and mandibular human premolars (
The average value of Lj was 3.74 mm. The average of proportion (P), estimated by dividing the longest diameter into the shortest diameter of the apical foramen, was 3.64. This study showed a significant negative correlation between P and Lj (
As Lj gets longer, the apical foramen becomes more ovally shaped. Likewise, as it gets shorter, the apical foramen becomes more flat shaped.
The final preparation (MAF) size in infected root canals is still controversial. Nonetheless, recent studies demonstrated that larger apical preparation sizes produces a greater reduction in remaining bacteria and dentinal debris as compared to smaller apical preparation sizes. Therefore, clinicians should be practiced with treatment strategies guided by evidence-based information, especially in infected/failed root canals.
The aim of this study was to investigate the shapes and diameters of the physiological foramen and anatomy of the root canal at 3mm from apex in mandibular first molars.
Sixty mandibular first molars were randomly selected. The apical anatomy of 60 mandibular first molars was investigated by means of a stereomicroscope (60x magnification).
The results were as follows;
1. There was a high percentage of two physiological foramina in mesial (61.67%) and one foramen in distal(71.66%) roots of mandibular first molars.
2.There was a high frequency of accessory foramina in mesial roots with one foramen (26.07%).
3. The diameters of physiological foramen was as follows:
0.329mm in single mesial foramen 0.266mm in mesiobuccal foramen and 0.246mm in mesiolingual foramen 0.375mm in single distal foramen 0.291mm in distobuccal foramen and 0.237mm in distolingual foramen
4. The most common physiological foramen shape was oval (69.93%).
5. The incidence of isthmus in mesial root at 3mm from apex was 55%. The 3mm-sections contained a complete isthmus 31.66% and a partial isthmus 23.34%.
6. 3mm from the apex, the most common canal shape was oval (50.64%).
Knowledge of the apical anatomy of mandibular first molar would be necessary for success of surgical and nonsurgical endodontic treatment.