Aim: To evaluate the thickness of the root canal dentin wall in the cervical, middle, and apical third of primary first molars.
Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study consisting of 30 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of primary maxillary and mandibular first molars, with crown, and root integrity. The wall dentin thickness of each canal was measured in three axial views, divided into distal (D), mesial, lingual/palatine, and buccal surfaces.
Results: The smallest dentin wall thickness of the maxillary molar was located on the mesial surface of the mesiobuccal (MB) canal apical third (mean 0.55 ± 0.04 mm). The buccal and palatal (P) surfaces of the distobuccal (DB) and P canals showed the smallest dentin thickness on the cervical third (0.62 ± 0.02 mm). On the mandibular molar, we found the smallest dentin thickness on the apical third [lingual surface of the MB canal and buccal surface of the mesiolingual (ML) canal] with a mean of 0.41 ± 0.07 mm. Additionally, the dentin thickness is average of the D canal was about 0.67 ± 0.11 mm.
Conclusion: It is essential to understand the primary first molar's anatomy to reduce possible complications in pediatric patients from instrumentation during root canal treatments.
Clinical significance: Pulpectomy is among the most challenging procedures in pediatric dentistry and the knowledge of the root anatomy of primary teeth allows the professional to make better clinical decisions and reduce possible risks during root canal treatment.
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