ORCID
- Casper Jonker: 0000-0002-9110-5208
- Federico Foschi: 0000-0001-6901-0280
Abstract
The aim of this paper was to describe root canal configurations using micro-CT in South African first molars. A segmentation process was followed on micro-focus X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) scans of 101 maxillary and 86 mandibular first molars. Main and accessory root canal anatomy were considered to describe root canal configurations of South African first molars. Intra- and inter-observer reliability was determined using the unweighted Cohen’s Kappa test. Intra- and inter-rater agreement was 93% for maxillary configurations; 92.9% and 86.2% respectively for mandibular configurations. The most common main canal configurations were: 3MXFM MB1DB1P1 (n = 33/93, 35.5%) and 2MDFM M1-2D1 (n = 8/84, 9.5%) (separate three-rooted maxillary and two-rooted mandibular respectively). The addition of accessory canals resulted in configurations that were mostly individualised with only a few notable similarities. A total of 97 unique configurations were found in maxillary teeth and 85 in mandibular teeth. In the separate three-rooted maxillary molars, the only similarities were 3MXFM MB1(A2) DB1(A1) P1 (n = 4/93, 4.3%) and 3MXFM MB1(A1) DB1(A1) P1 (n = 2/93, 2.2%). In two-rooted mandibular molars, only 2MDFM M1D1 (n = 2/84, 2.4%) was noted. Root canal configurations were found to be diverse and complex.
DOI Link
Publication Date
2025-08-26
Publication Title
SADJ : journal of the South African Dental Association = tydskrif van die Suid-Afrikaanse Tandheelkundige Vereniging
Volume
80
Issue
5
ISSN
1029-4864
Acceptance Date
2025-05-27
Deposit Date
2025-06-09
Funding
Dr. Charlotte Theye received funding from the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University through the Bakeng se Afrika project funded by Erasmus plus, EU funding: 597924-EPP-1-2018-1-ZA-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP (2018-3229).
Additional Links
https://www.obiter.mandela.ac.za/index.php/sadj/index, https://www.sada.co.za/south-african-dental-journal-sadj
Keywords
Accessory canals, First molars, micro-CT, Root canal configurations
First Page
240
Last Page
250
Recommended Citation
Jonker, C., Lambourn, G., van der Vyver, P., Charlotte, T., Foschi, F., L’Abbé, E., & Oettlé, A. (2025) 'First permanent molar root canal configurations in a South African sample: a descriptive micro-computed tomographic report', SADJ : journal of the South African Dental Association = tydskrif van die Suid-Afrikaanse Tandheelkundige Vereniging, 80(5), pp. 240-250. Available at: 10.17159/sadj.v80i05.21365
