Prevalence of mesiobuccal-2 canals in maxillary first and second molars among the Bruneian population

Brunei Darussalam: Researchers, using CBCT analysis, found a prevalence of mesiobuccal-2 (MB-2) canals in maxillary first and second molars among the Bruneian population. 

The research team from the PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, identified the prevalence of MB-2 canal in the maxillary first (51.3%) and second molars (29.8%) based on a retrospective study involving a review of scans taken from a CBCT scanner (J Morita; Veraviewepocs 3D R100 Panoramic/Cephalometric). 

The paper of the study, “Prevalence of mesiobuccal-2 canals in maxillary first and second molars among the Bruneian population—CBCT analysis” was published in the British Dental Journal.

Locating MB-2 canals in maxillary molars using CBCT 

“One of the potential sources of persistent endodontic infection, particularly in maxillary first and second molars, is failure to locate and treat the entire root canal system during primary root canal treatment,” the authors wrote, citing several sources.

“Canals can be missed and this is frequently seen in the mesiobuccal (MB) root of maxillary molars. The MB root canal can be divided into two canals, namely, the first (MB-1) and second (MB-2) canals.

“The morphology of the MB-2 canal with its mesiopalatal inclination to the orifice, makes it difficult to locate and negotiate during endodontic treatment. Moreover, diagnostic tools such as the two-dimensional conventional periapical radiographs offer little to improve the location of this elusive canal. 

“With the help of an imaging modality with high precision such as the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), locating MB-2 canals in maxillary molars prior to endodontic treatment has been made possible.”

No significant difference between genders

A total of 342 maxillary molars were evaluated over a 5-year period from 2016 – 2021. In addition, the correlation of MB-2 canals with gender and age were calculated using the chi-squared test.

“Both males and females have a similar prevalence of MB-2 canals in the maxillary first and second molars,” the authors concluded.

“The incidence of MB-2 canals in both maxillary first and second molars significantly decreases with increasing age. No significant correlation between the prevalence of MB-2 canals with different gender groups in the population.”

Click here to read the full article: Prevalence of mesiobuccal-2 canals in maxillary first and second molars among the Bruneian population — CBCT analysis.