RESUMO
Lack of knowledge of root form, internal morphology and critical interpretation of radiographs will undoubtedly lead to an error in obturation of root canals. The aim and objective of this study was to clinically and radiographicaly determine the frequency of single and more canals in maxillary second premolars and to compare the clinical and demographic features by taking periapical radiography at two different angles among a sample of local population and also to investigate the gender variations. Patients were recruited from regular pool of patients presenting to Dental department of PIMS, Islamabad, for root canal therapy on maxillary second premolars, during six month study period. Hundred male and female patients were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Periapical radiographs through PT were taken at different angulations and visualized. Endodontic files were inserted into the canals through an access opening and a confirmatory radiograph was taken to confirm the numbers of root canals. The preoperative radiographs were correlated with the clinically assessed radiographs. Among the hundred patients [n=57] 57% were males and [n=43] 43% were females. Clinically assessed radiographs showed that 65% had single root canals and 35% had multiple canals. There was no significant difference between characteristics of patients with maxillary second premolars presenting with single canal or multiple canals