(PO104) An Analysis of Mandibular Dental Anatomy Using CBCT from an Endodontic Patient Population at a Postgraduate Endodontic Program from 2016 to 2022

Abstract: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has enhanced endodontic diagnosis and treatment by providing three-dimensional visualization and analysis of dental anatomy. Most previous studies on root canal morphology and anatomical landmarks used cadavers or small sample sizes. This study aims to analyze the anatomy of mandibular canines, premolars, and molars, as well as relevant mandibular anatomical landmarks, using patients' CBCT data from a large sample size. The CBCT database from the Temple University Graduate Endodontic Department from December 2016 to October 2022 was reviewed. The root/canal morphology and anatomy of mandibular canines, premolars, and molars were analyzed. The distance to anatomical landmarks, including the mental foramen, inferior alveolar nerve, and buccal plate thickness, was measured using Carestream CS 3D imaging software at 75 μm resolution. The root morphology and canal morphology were categorized according to Vertucci’s classification. The numbers, percentages, fusions, and prevalence of radix entomolaris were recorded. The average distance of the mental foramen was found to be about 6.19 mm to the second premolars' root apexes. The average distance of the inferior alveolar nerve to the mandibular molar mesial root apexes and mandibular molar distal root apexes were 6.1 mm and 4.8 mm, respectively. The average buccal bone thickness to the mandibular molar mesial and distal root apexes was 5.9 mm. This study provided updated data on the mandibular anatomical structures. The results will aid clinicians in forming proper endodontic diagnosis, treatment planning, and rendering of treatment.