Análisis de la morfología interna de los premolares inferiores mediante tomografías computarizadas.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the internal morphology of mandibular premolars using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional, retrospective, observational, and analytical study was conducted. Ninety CBCT scans from adult patients were randomly selected, representing 360 mandibular premolars: 180 first premolars and 180 second premolars. For each tooth, the number of roots and the root canal system configuration were evaluated according to Vertucci's classification. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, and chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The median age was 29.5 years (IQR = 16.8), and 55.6% of the subjects were female. 96.1% of the premolars had a single root, while 3.9% had two roots. Type I configuration predominated (96.1%), followed by Type V (3.3%); Types II and III each accounted for 0.3%. Among first premolars, Type I was found in 92.8% and Type V in 6.1%; among second premolars, Type I was found in 99.4%. Morphological variations were observed in 10% of patients; these were more frequent in men than in women, though the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.179). Conclusion: Mandibular premolars predominantly presented a single root and Type I configuration. Morphological variations were infrequent and were concentrated primarily in the first premolars.