Cone-beam Computed Tomography Study of the Root and Canal Morphology of Maxillary and Mandibular Canines Regarding Gender and Age in an Iranian Population

Objectives Canine teeth are supposed to have one single root canal, but they may have some anatomical variations. This study aimed to investigate the morphology of root canals of maxillary and mandibular canines regarding gender and age in an Iranian population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods Using CBCT images, 126 maxillary and 125 mandibular canines were evaluated. Root anatomy was assessed regarding root length, root curvature, number of roots and canals, and pattern of root canal system. The data were analyzed by the Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests and multinomial regression model.  Results The mean root length of male patients was significantly higher than females (p=0.0001). The most frequent root curvatures were towards the distal and buccal. Mandibular teeth (p=0.020) and females (p=0.012) had higher frequency of root curvature. All maxillary canines had one root; whereas 1.6% of mandibular canines had two roots. High prevalence of two canals was reported (34.9% of maxillary and 18.4% of mandibular canines). The most prevalent canal patterns included type I (65.1%) followed by type III (34.9%) in maxillary canines and types I (81.6%), III (16.8%) and V (1.6%) in mandibular canines. Higher frequency of type III canal configuration was reported in maxillary teeth (p=0.001) and male patients (p=0.008). No significant difference was found in any parameter between different age groups (p>0.05). Conclusion A high percentage of type III canal configuration in canine teeth especially maxillary canines and male patients was reported. Mandibular teeth and females had higher frequency of root curvature.