ORCID
- Casper Jonker: 0000-0002-9110-5208
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Objective:To evaluate root canal isthmuses in maxillary and mandibular first molars of Black South Africans usingmicro-computed tomography.Methods:The prevalence, location (root third) and type of isthmuses were recorded on 93 maxillary and 84mandibular first molars from 116 skeletonized individuals. Associations with arch side, sex and age were examined bychi-squared test, with strength of association given as the bias-adjusted Cramér’s V and 95% confidence interval (CI).Reliability used percentage agreement and Cohen’s kappa (κ) coefficient.Results:Intra- and inter-observer agreement were excellent: 96.73% (κ= 0.90) and 97.78% (κ= 0.95) for themaxillary teeth and 94.12% (κ= 0.75) and 96.08% (κ= 0.94) for the mandibular teeth. Apical isthmuses in themandibular mesial root were more common in males (95.35%) compared to females (78.05%) (p= 0.003; adjustedCramér’s V = 0.351, 95% CI 0.151–1.000) Overall (p= 0.004) and apically (p= 0.027) distal root isthmuses appearedto increase with age. In the maxilla, isthmuses were more prevalent in the mesio-buccal root of combined sexes. Ahigher prevalence was noted in the disto-buccal root of males (p= 0.047). Generally, Fan Type III isthmuses and theapical third region were more common.Conclusion:These findings could strengthen endodontic treatment planning and diagnosis. Significant differencesshould be interpreted cautiously given the exploratory, ex vivo design.
DOI Link
Publication Date
2026-09-15
Publication Title
Journal of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry
Volume
4
Issue
2
ISSN
2980-3748
Acceptance Date
2026-09-01
Deposit Date
2026-09-18
Funding
This publication was funded/co-funded by the European Union. Itscontents are the sole responsibility of Jonker, CH and authors, and donot necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. Dr. CharlotteTheye received funding from the Sefako Makgatho Health SciencesUniversity through the Bakeng se Afrika project. Funding agency: Erasmus plus, EU Funding number: 597924-EPP-1-2018-1-ZA-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP(2018-3229).
Keywords
African continental ancestry group, Isthmus, Micro-computed tomography, Root canal anatomy, South Africa
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
First Page
49
Last Page
57
Recommended Citation
Jonker, C., & Oettlé, A. (2026) 'A micro-computed tomographic evaluation of root canal isthmuses in maxillary and mandibular first molars of a Black South African population', Journal of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, 4(2), pp. 49-57. Available at: 10.71350/endores.2026.009
