Root Canal Morphology of Mandibular Premolars in North Indian Population Using Tooth Clearing Technique - an in Vitro Study

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the ischolar_main canal morphology of mandibular premolars in Northern region of India using a decalcification and clearing technique. Method: Three hundred extracted human mandibular premolars, collected from dental clinics within North India were selected for this study. Following pulp tissue removal, India ink was injected into the ischolar_main canals and the teeth were decalcified with 5% nitric acid, dehydrated with ascending concentrations of alcohol and rendered clear by immersion in methyl salicylate. Cleared teeth were examined under 5X magnification and the following features were evaluated: (i) number and type of ischolar_main canals; (ii) presence and location of lateral canals and; (iii) location of apical foramina. Results: 84.2% of the specimens exhibited Type I canal pattern. Type VIII was not observed in any of the specimens. The lateral canals were in the apical third in 78.7% of the specimens followed by middle third in 16.5% and the cervical third in 4.7%. 82.7% of the specimens showed lateral position of the apical foramen. Conclusion: Mandibular premolar teeth present a wide variety of radicular features, with one ischolar_main and one canal being found in majority of the cases. An accurate knowlegde of the morphology of the ischolar_main canal is essential for proper diagnosis and successful treatment of endodontic cases.