Ethnical Anatomical Differences in Mandibular First Permanent Molars between Indian and Saudi Arabian Subpopulations: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study

AIM AND OBJECTIVEThe variation in the anatomy of the root canal system has anthropological and demographic significances. The aim of this study was to compare the number of roots, root canals, and internal canal morphology of permanent mandibular first molars between Indian and Saudi Arabian populations. MATERIALS AND METHODSA total of 523 (255 teeth of Indian sample and 268 teeth of Saudi Arabian sample) mandibular first molar (M1) were included for comparative analysis using cone-beam computed tomography images based on the inclusion criteria. The external and internal morphologies were assessed and compared by trained endodontist and the data was recorded. RESULTSM1 with three roots were found in 3.9% of the Indian population and 6% of the Saudi population. Overall, high prevalence was observed in two roots (95.0%), three canals (70.4%), Vertucci type IV of the mesial root (56.0%), and Vertucci type I of the distal root (76.7%). Comparison between Indian and Saudi Arabian molars revealed significant differences in relation to the number of canals (p