Classifying the internal anatomy of anterior teeth in the Yemeni population using two systems: a retrospective CBCT study

A precursor for effective root canal treatment (RCT) is a complete understanding of the internal anatomy of teeth. In this study, the authors aimed to classify the root canal morphology of anterior teeth in the Yemeni population and identify gender-based variations among them. In addition, the symmetry among adjacent quadrants was also evaluated. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 2935 anterior teeth, 1502 maxillary, and 1433 mandibular were analyzed for root canal morphology and symmetry. Comparison between groups and among different genders was done using the Chi-square test. All the maxillary teeth were single-rooted and had a predominantly ¹TN¹ (Vertucci Type I) canal morphology. In addition to ¹TN¹, the presence of ¹TN^1-2-1 (Vertucci type III) and ¹TN^1-2-1-2-1 (not classified NC according to Vertucci) morphologies were noticed in the maxillary canines. Among the mandibular anteriors, the canal morphologies identified include ¹TN¹ in majority of the scans followed by ¹TN^2-1 (Vertucci II), ¹TN^1-2-1, ¹TN^1-2 (Vertucci V), ¹TN^1-2-1-2 (Vertucci VII) was seen only in incisors and newer canal types like ¹TN^2-1-2-1 (NC Vertucci) and ¹TN^1-2-1-2-1 (NC Vertucci) was seen in canines and lateral incisors. Two roots were only seen in the mandibular canines and classified as ²TN^1-2 (NC Vertucci). Variations in root and root canal morphologies were seen among both genders. However, the results were not significant. All the maxillary teeth except 0.8% were bilaterally symmetrical. In mandible, symmetry ranged between 84.5 and 86.5%. In conclusion, single-rooted teeth with ¹TN¹ classification are most commonly seen in all the anterior teeth. Gender-based differences were non-significant, and bilateral symmetry was high. Ahmed et al. classification could precisely represent the root canal morphology in two rooted teeth.