ABSTRACT
This study was design to investigate the number of apical foramen in mesial root canal of mandibular first molar in local population. Cross Sectional Descriptive Study. The study was conducted to evaluate number of apical foramen in mesial root canal of mandibular first molar at Institute of Dentistry, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, from March 2007 to August 2007. One hundred specimens of extracted permanent mandibular first molar teeth were decoronated at cemento-enamel junction. Root canal orifices of mesial root were located and radiograph was taken with 15 # K files inside root canals with visible tip at root apex. The specimens were classified as: 1C/1AF [Icanal 1 apical foramen]; 2C/2AF; 2C/1AF and 3C/ 3AF. The existence of apical foramina/foramen was additionally confirmed under dental operating microscope and classified in the same manner. Out of 100 specimens, 1C/1AF was not observed in specimen, 2C/1AF was observed in 43%, 52% had 2C/2AF and only 5% had 3C/3AF. A total of 100 specimens of permanent mandibular first molar teeth were included in this study. Periapical radiographs were analyzed to investigate the number of canals of the mandibular 1[st] molars and compare the number of apical foramina observed on the radiographs to that revealed by dental operating microscope. Significant difference was not observed in Radiographic and dental operating microscope findings [Wilcoxon rank sum test; p =0.99]