Root and canal morphology of mandibular first and second permanent molar teeth in a Ugandan population.

We investigated root and canal morphology of permanent mandibular molar teeth in a Ugandan population. Mandibular first (n = 224) and second (n = 223) molars were collected from patients visiting dental clinics in Kampala and prepared by a clearing technique. An endodontic access cavity was prepared in each tooth. The teeth were consecutively immersed in 5% sodium hypochlorite, 10% nitric acid, and 99% methyl salicylate. India ink was coronally injected into the pulp chamber and withdrawn apically by suction. The teeth were viewed under a magnifying lens and the numbers of root canals and their configurations, lateral canals, intercanal communications, and multiple apical foramina were recorded, along with the number of roots and their morphology. Student's t test for independent samples was used to assess significant differences in the root canal system. All specimens were two-rooted with one mesial and one distal root. Root fusion was more frequent in the second than in the first molar: 3.2% versus 0.4%. Vertucci type IV canal configuration was most frequently recorded in the mesial root of the first (44.6%) and second (49.8%) molars. Type 1 canal configuration was predominant in the distal root in first (84.8%) and second (94.2%) molars. Multiple apical foramina were more frequent in the first than in the second molar, as were intercanal communications and lateral canals. Type I and IV canal configurations were predominant in the distal and mesial roots, respectively, of both the first and second molars.

Prevalence of oral diseases/conditions in Uganda.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to report the prevalence of oral diseases/conditions among a Ugandan population. METHODS: Subjects aged 12 (n=696) and 35-44 years (n=396) were chosen from randomly selected urban and peri-urban areas of Arua, Mbale, Kampala and Mbarara districts. They were clinically examined by 4 trained and calibrated dentists for oral diseases/conditions using criteria described by World Health Organisation. RESULTS: Dental caries (DMFT >or=1) was recorded in 40% and 62.5% of the children and adults, respectively. The overall mean DMFT score was 0.9 for children and 3.4 for adults. Caries was significantly more severe in females as compared to males in children (p<0.05), whereas in adults, there was no significant gender difference. Kampala had a significantly higher mean DMFT score compared to other districts in all age groups (p>0.05). Culculus deposits were generally, more prevalent in adults as compare to children except in Mbarara district. Gum bleeding was also significantly more prevalent among children as compared to adults (p<0.05). Significantly higher prevalence of gum bleeding in both children and adults was recorded in Arua district as compared to other areas (p<0.05). Each of the age groups had a prevalence of malocclusion of 61%. However, the severity of malocclusion varied between age groups and districts. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was 3% and 4% for children and adults, respectively. All subjects in Arua district were fluorosis-free. Tetracycline enamel staining was less than 1% in both age groups. Enamel attrition was more prevalent in adults as compared to children: 19% versus 1%. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of oral diseases/conditions was generally low among the study population. Caries experience was significantly higher in the Kampala (urban) district as compared to rural districts in all age groups; the D - component being the major contributor.