Root canal morphology of maxillary second premolars among the Kurdish population in Iraqi Kurdistan: a retrospective CBCT assessment

Aim of the research
To explore the morphology of the root canal systems of permanent maxillary second premolars among the Iraqi Kurdistan population.

Material and methods
Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan images were accessed from a documented database of 300 patients (165 male, 135 female) from Iraqi Kurdistan regions, who had had oral and maxillofacial examinations. The age of the patients ranged from 18 to 50 years, and scanned images were evaluated by 2 independent dental radiologists who assessed the axial, sagittal, and coronal sections to check the number of orifices, roots, root canals, and foramina. Canal configuration was classified using the Vertucci classification to evaluate and analyse the root canal morphology.

Results
One orifice was the most prevalent number of orifices in 3 governorates in Iraqi Kurdistan (86.33%). The teeth with one canal (67.0%) and one root (89.33%) were the most prevalent. One foramen was the most prevalent number of a foramen in 3 governorates and Iraqi Kurdistan (86.7%) followed by 2 foramina (13.3%). The first canal type was the most prevalent in the Kurdish population with permanent maximally second premolars (69.0%) followed by class V (12.3%) and class II (11%). Classes VI (0.7%) and III (2%) were rare canal types in this region. Class VII canal type was not found in the population in the Iraqi Kurdistan region.

Conclusions
One orifice, one foramen, one canal, and one root with type I were the most prevalent morphology of the maxillary second premolar in Iraqi Kurdish populations