Use of cone-beam computed tomography to evaluate the prevalence of root fenestration in a Chinese subpopulation

Aim To use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to evaluate the prevalence of root fenestration (RF) in a Chinese subpopulation. Methodology A total of 306 patients were selected from patients receiving a routine CBCT examination; those with a malocclusion, a history of trauma or nondental pathosis were excluded. Overall, CBCT images of 4387 teeth were evaluated by two endodontists and one radiologist, and final agreements on findings were agreed for each tooth. The distribution, prevalence, types of RF and the degree of periapical bone of RF teeth were recorded using a newly developed classification system. Result The overall prevalence of RF by tooth type ranged from 0.18% to 10.46% and was higher in the maxilla (5.37% of teeth) than in the mandible (1.00% of teeth). RF appeared most frequently in maxillary first premolars (10.46%), followed by maxillary lateral incisors (7.80%) and maxillary canines (7.58%). RF appeared significantly more often on the labial/buccal side (99.98%) than the palatal/lingual side (0.02%). The two most common types of RF were Type I (54.73%) and Type IV (27.03%), and most periapical bone defects were Level I (92.57%). Conclusion The prevalence of root fenestration was lower in this Chinese subpopulation than that reported previously in other ethnic groups. CBCT was an effective and convenient tool for identifying and diagnosing RF.