Abstract

SUMMARY: The aim of this of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and morphology of radix entomolaris (RE) in the mandibular first molar (MFM) in a southern Chilean sub-population by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Two hundred ten CBCT images of MFM were analysed. To detect the presence of RE, the observation and measurements were standardised, advancing 1 mm to apical from the floor of the pulp chamber to the most apical zone of the tooth. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, with a value of P < 0.05 being statistically significant. The prevalence of a third root in the permanent MFM was 5.7 % (12/210). The incidence of RE was the same in male patients (2.9 %) as in female patients (2.9 %) (p=0.324). The occurrence of an RE in the left MFM was 7.3 % (3/41 patients) for male patients and 4.5 % (3/66) for female patients (p=0.398). The right MFM in male patients had an incidence of 8.1 % (3/37) and 4.5 % (3/66) for female patients (p=0.340). When the presence of an RE was compared between the left (5.6 %) and right side (5.8 %), no statistically significant differences were found (p=0.998). The frequency of bilateral three-rooted MFM was 71.43 % (5/7) and 28.57 % (2/7) were unilateral. The prevalence of RE in MFM in a southern Chilean sub-population was 5.7 %. The occurrence was bilateral in the majority of cases and no significant differences were observed by sex or side. The commonest type of RE was Type 1 (83.3 %). The use of CBCT can improve the endodontic treatment outcome.