Analysis of root canal morphological characteristics using different techniques

to achieve good results of endodontic treatment, thorough knowledge of the root canal morphology is required and different techniques can be used in learning. objective: the aim of this study was to determine the number and type of roots canals in mandibular incisors, maxillary first premolars, and mandibular first molars. material and methods: the study enrolled 44 teeth. periapical roentgenograms of these teeth were taken in mesio-distal and labial (bucco)-lingual (palatinal) views. transparent tooth models were made using clearing technique. the number of canals and their types were recorded. periapical roentgenograms and transparent tooth models were compared. results: 58.8% mandibular incisors had two canals and 66.7% were straight. 90% maxillary first premolars had two canals and 89.5% were straight as well. 52.9% mandibular first molars had two canals and 58.1% were curved using roentgenographic technique. 52.9% mandibular first molars had three canals and 57.8% were curved using transparent tooth models. p > 0.05. conclusions: having employed roentgenographic and clearing techniques, the study showed that mandibular incisors, maxillary first premolars more often had two straight canals and rarely one canal. mandibular first molars more often had two or three curved canals and rarely straight, c or s shaped canals. two different techniques used in the study, namely two dimensional periapical roentgenograms and three dimensional transparent tooth models, did not show any statistically significant differences in number and type of canals