Description of the root canal system of mandibular first premolars in a colombian population

Abstract

The success of endodontic treatments depends largely on the knowledge of the morphology of the root canal system, allowing accurate location, for proper cleaning and disinfection for the subsequent three-dimensional obturation. Various studies have indicated that mandibular first premolars have a single canal with different anatomical variations. There have been several methods for studying anatomy of root canal, such as sectioning, conventional radiography, radiovisiography, diaphanization, computerized axial tomography and micro-computed tomography (CT). Although micro-CT may offer a simple and reproducible technique showing the finest details, we used the method of diaphanization, a reliable technique that is easy to perform. The purpose of the present study was to examine the root canal system of the mandibular first premolar in a group of Colombians according to Vertucci’s classification reasons. All patients gave their consent to participate in this study. This study was approved by the ethics committee from the University of Santo Tomás, Bogotá, Colombia. To verify the patency of the canal, we used K-file # 10. Then, the teeth were immersed in sodium hypochlorite 5.25% for 24 h to remove the pulp tissue. The diaphanization began with decalcification, at room temperature using 5% nitric acid for 4 h. After washing with water, the samples were dehydrated with increasing concentrations of ethanol. The teeth were completely dried with hot air and cleared with methyl salicylate 99.9% for 30 min. The pre-cleared specimens were then injected with Chinese ink using syringe irrigation with a 27-gauge needle from the pulp chamber, while negative suction was applied to the apical foramen. The canal system was analyzed by a trained operator using an operating binocular microscope with 10X magnification, recording the canal system configuration according to the classification of Vertucci as shown in Fig. 1, and anatomical variations of the root canal system. No images were captured and no software was used