The prevalence, configuration, and prediction of second mesiobuccal canals in maxillary second molars in West Bengal population - A cone-beam computed tomography study

Objective: This study's objective is to analyze the prevalence as well as the configuration of second mesiobuccal (MB2) in maxillary 2^nd molars and predict its existence based on mesiobuccal-palatal (MB-P) distance, MB-P/distobuccal-palatal (DB-P) distance ratio and mesiobuccal, distobuccal, and palatal orifice (MDP) angle with the help of cone-beam computed tomography.

Materials and methods: The presence and absence of MB2 are noted down in 300 maxillary 2^nd molars. Canal configuration was observed from the orifice to the apex in the mesiobuccal root. Interorifice distances of MB-DB, MB-P, and DB-P were measured. MB-P and DB-P ratios have been computed. MDP angle was also measured. Then, MB2 existence and the above factors are correlated.

Results: The prevalence of MB2 is increased as the values increase in MB-P distance (>5.25 mm), MB-P and DB-P ratio (>1.25), and MDP angle (>95°). Out of 150 MB2 teeth, Vertucci type 2, 4, and 8 Configurations are seen in 103 (68.6%), 46 (30.6%), and 1 (0.67%), respectively.

Conclusions: This positive correlation between MB2 presence and these three factors helps clinicians to identify MB2 canals effectively.