Cone-beam computed tomography study of C-shaped root canal of mandibular premolars

Objective To investigate the incidence and morphology of C-shaped root canals in mandibular premolars by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging, which provides a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods The CBCT scanning data of 964 mandibular first premolars and 907 mandibular second premolars in 508 cases were collected, and the root canal morphology, incidence of C-shaped root canals, bilateral symmetry and location of radicular grooves were analyzed. Results The incidence of C-shaped root canals in mandibular first premolars was 4.1% and that in mandibular second premolars was 0.6%. The incidence of C-shaped root canals of mandibular first premolars was significantly higher than that of mandibular second premolars (χ2=25.775, P < 0.001). The symmetrical ratio of C-shaped root canals in the mandibular first premolars was 29%. There were no symmetrical C-shaped root canals in the mandibular second premolars. There were significant differences in the distribution of the C-shaped root can