ABSTRACT
The objective of this paper is to assess the prevalence of a second canal in maxillary and mandibular premolars based on two classification systems of root canal morphology using Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. A total of 286 CBCT scans from the archive of the Radiology department of a hospital were assessed for the presence of a second canal in maxillary and mandibular premolars. The canal configuration and its assessment was undertaken using Vertucci and Ahmed's classification. A Chi-square test was used to test the significance of the difference between gender and age. A total of 286 premolars were examined (217 mandibular premolars and 69 maxillary premolars); of these, 173 teeth (60.5%) were from males and 113 were from females (39.5%). Some 62% of maxillary left first premolars had two roots, followed by maxillary right first premolars (47%), and then maxillary left second premolars (30%) and maxillary right ones (27%), respectively. Type IV Vertucci were seen in maxillary premolars, while type I were ordinarily seen in the included mandibular premolars. Surprisingly, Vertucci type III was only found in mandibular left first premolars at a frequency of 2%. One orifice with two separate canals and two orifices of two distinct canals with two portals of exit were predominantly noticed with maxillary first premolars (2 FP B1 P1) in 73% and 81%, respectively, followed by (1 FP 2) 19%. The prevalence of a second canal in maxillary and mandibular premolars was low in the investigated premolars in comparison to the premolars that had just one root and canal, as assessed based on Vertucci and Ahmed's root canal system classification.
ABSTRACT
The unprecedented situation of the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the entire world, with dental practice being significantly affected. In this study, we aim to evaluate the operational implications and risk assessment of the coronavirus in dental practice. This observational study comprised the electronic distribution of two surveys, one to patients and the second to dental professionals. The first questionnaire consisted of demographics along with 15 closed-ended questions. The second questionnaire consisted of demographics along with 43 questions from eight domains: financial impact, psychological impact, patient satisfaction, hygiene, patient management, COVID-19 lockdown, perspective, and practicing dentistry after the COVID-19 pandemic. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-25. A linear regression test was applied to assess the effect of the dependent variable (patient's satisfaction with the dental practice) on independent variables (age, gender, education). The ANOVA test was applied to assess the effect of the independent variables (financial impact, psychological impact, patient satisfaction, hygiene, patient management, lockdown, perspective, and post-COVID-19) on the dependent variables (age, gender, education, experience of dentists, qualification of dentists). A total of 711 patients and dental professionals participated in this study, with a response rate of 88.87%. Approximately 67.9% of the patients felt comfortable in the dental clinic, with 74.5% being satisfied with the dental clinic's services. The majority (77.4%) of the dentists were psychologically affected. Many of the participants chose to use masks, gowns, respiratory equipment, and face shields for protection. Teledentistry was preferred by the majority of dentists in non-emergency cases. Many of the dentists chose alternative procedures to minimize the generation of aerosols. The majority of the dentists suggested changes in the dynamics of dentistry in the post-COVID era, such as the suggestion that the management of the finances of a dental practice along with infection control protocols should be practiced more optimally. Patients and dental professionals were well aware of the necessary precautionary measures required to combat the coronavirus, as well as the implications of different operational measures along with performing risk assessment, keeping in mind the changing dynamics of dentistry.
