A Cross-Sectional Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study of Root Canal Morphology and Configuration of Mandibular Premolars in Saudi and Sudanese Subpopulations

Objective To evaluate and compare the root canal morphology of mandibular premolars in Saudi and Sudanese subpopulations and between males and females within each group using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was done between May 2022 and July 2023. Six hundred premolars from Saudi and Sudanese subpopulations were evaluated using CBCT for their number of roots, type of root canal configuration based on Vertucci's classification, and average canal length measured from the buccal cusp tip to the root end. Statistical Analysis Statistical comparisons were made between males and females within each subpopulation and the two subpopulations using the chi-square test for root number and type of root canal configuration and an independent sample t-test for the canal length. Results Most mandibular premolars in both subpopulations had a single root, with type I root canal configuration. However, Sudanese showed various canal configurations (I, II, III, IV, and V) compared with Saudis, which was statistically significant in the first canal of the first mandibular premolar (p < 0.05). Also, there were statistically significant differences in canal length between Saudi males and females (p < 0.05) and between Saudis and Sudanese (p < 0.05) in the first and second premolars. Conclusion Although most mandibular premolars in Saudi and Sudanese subpopulations exhibited a single root and type I canal configuration, variations exist between and within the groups, highlighting ethnic and gender differences and emphasizing the need for dentists' attention.