Detecting the Second Mesiobuccal Canal in Maxillary Molars in a Saudi Arabian Population: A Micro-CT Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine MB2 canal detectability in maxillary first and second molars obtained from a Saudi population using micro-CT. Maxillary first (n=35) and second (n=30) molars were scanned with micro-CT technology. The number of canals was recorded, and in case of having more than one canal, the level of extracanal detection was analyzed. The presence of extracanal was categorized based on the level they were first detected. Among the maxillary first molars, 28 (80%) and six (17%) teeth had two and three MB canals, respectively. Among the maxillary second molars, 24 (80%) and four (13%) teeth had two and three MB canals, respectively. The MB2 canal was detected at the chamber floor in 70% and 61% of the maxillary first and second molars, respectively. At 1 mm depth, the MB2 canal was found in 15% and 18% of the maxillary first and second molars, respectively. At 2 mm depth, the MB2 canal was found in 3% and 18% of the maxillary first and second molars, respectively. The remaining teeth had the MB2 canal at levels deeper than 2 mm. The MB2 canal was detected in 97% and 93%% of maxillary first and second molars, respectively. Among them, the MB2 canal could be immediately detected in 70% and 61% of the maxillary first and second molars, respectively, once the pulp chamber is exposed. However, the rest of the MB2 were observed at deeper levels in the root and this requires troughing preparation in the chamber floor.