Assessing the root and root canal anatomy of canine teeth and prevalence of impacted canines in a Saudi Arabian subpopulation through cone-beam computed tomography imaging.

Background: Canines play crucial roles in arch development, dental esthetics, and occlusal function, and Variations in root canal morphology can considerably impact root canal treatment outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the root and root canal anatomy of canine teeth by using Vertucci's classification and the prevalence of impacted canines in a Saudi subpopulation.

Materials and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 416 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were analyzed using Vertucci's classification, and information related to sample characteristics, canal configurations. and impaction of the mandibular and maxillary permanent canine teeth were recorded. In addition, data, such as gender, arch, side of the CBCT, classification type of canal anatomy, and presence of impacted canines, were collected. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used for data analysis, and the chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 1664 maxillary and mandibular canine teeth (51.9% from females) were screened in this study. Nearly 94.7% of the canine had a single canal, and 98.6% had a single root. Maxillary and mandibular canines with the type I configuration were the most prevalent (98.6% and 90.9%, respectively), and those with the type V configuration was the least prevalent (0.2% and 3.1%, respectively). The prevalence of the type I root canal configuration was higher in the maxillary canines (98.6%) than in the mandibular canines (90.9%) and significantly higher in males (95.8%) than in females (93.8%; p = 0.002). The prevalence of single-rooted canines in the mandibular arch was significantly higher in males (99.0%) than in females (95.8%; p = 0.005). Similarly, the overall prevalence of single-rooted canines was significantly higher in males (99.5%) than in females (97.7%; p = 0.002). In the mandibular arch, the prevalence of the single-canal configuration was significantly higher in males (93.5%) than in females (88.4%; p = 0.011). The prevalence of impacted canines was 7.9% and higher in the maxillary arch (7.0%) and males (8.5%).

Conclusions: Canines with the type I canal configuration was the most prevalent in both arches and higher in the maxillary arch. The type I configuration and single-rooted canines in the mandibular arch and both arches were more prevalent in males. The prevalence of impacted canines was found to be 7.9%, with a higher occurrence in males and maxillary arches.