Evaluating Root Canal Morphology of Permanent Mandibular Incisors Using CBCT in a Sample of Iraqi Population (Middle Euphrates Region)

CBCT; Mandibular incisors; Root canal configuration; Symmetry; Vertucci classification

Ala Mahdi Muhamed Ali.1*
MSc, PhD conservative dentistry.
Lecturer at college of dentistry,
university
of
Kerbala,
Iraq.alaa.m@uokerbala.edu.iq
Ali S. Al-Haddad.2
MSc oral and maxillofacial radiology.
Assistant professor at College of
Dentistry, University of Kerbala, Iraq.
Sundus Mohammed Ali Al-Bazi.3
MSc preventive dentistry. Assistant
lecturer at department of Dentistry, AlZahrawi University College, Iraq
Rafid J. Al-Badr. 4
MSc, PhD conservative dentistry.
Lecturer at college of Dentistry, Ahl
AL Bayt University, Iraq.

Received: 02.01.2026
Revised: 15.01.2026
Accepted: 23.01.2026

European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry (2026) 34(2),86–90

Evaluating
Root
Canal
Morphology of Permanent
Mandibular Incisors Using
CBCT in a Sample of Iraqi
Population (Middle Euphrates
Region)

Background/purpose: The objective of the study was to establish the morphology of the root canal space of permanent mandibular incisors in one of the samples of the population of Karbala governorate in Iraq by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and methods: 263 CBCT images were used in this study, 980 of which were of mandibular incisors. The number of roots, root canals, and root canal configurations was statistically assessed and analyzed according to Vertucci. Also, the root canal configuration gender prevalence was evaluated. Findings: The number of roots in all the studied incisors was one. One canal was observed in about 66.43% of the teeth, with 33.57% having two canals. The mean difference between males and females, as well as the central and lateral incisors, was statistically non-significant (p-value < 0.05). Types I, II, III, and V of the vertical canals were identified; the first type (66.43%), the third type (30.2%), and the second type (3.27%) were the most common types, but type V was identified only once (0.1%). Central incisors and lateral incisors were observed to have a high level of bilateral symmetry in terms of canal number (89.12% and 88.84%, respectively). Conclusion: There are two root canals in different configurations in approximately one-third of mandibular incisors in Karbala governorate. These results are similar to the ones found in the Iraq-Kurdistan area.

Anatomical knowledge of the root canal system (RCS) significantly impacts the practice of endodontics in a clinical setting. The ultimate goal of endodontists is to achieve a hermetic seal of the RCS after completely removing the vital and/or necrotic pulp tissue, microorganisms, and their byproducts. However, this task could be challenging to accomplish in reality because of the complexity of the RCS. Many studies have shown that RCS comprise complex passageways for pulp tissue that split and unite from the orifice to the root apex [1-4]. Detailed data about the number of roots, number of canals, inner canal configuration, and possible variations in all groups of teeth is a prerequisite for a successful root canal treatment outcome [5, 6]. Studies have shown a significant difference in the root canal configuration of human teeth among different populations [2, 6]. In the past, several methods have been performed to study the morphology of RCS in human teeth, mostly on extracted teeth using techniques like tooth clearing [7,8], cross-sectioning [9], and radiographs with intracanal contrast medium [10]. Recent technological advances have allowed the production three-dimensional (3D) tomographic images with high-resolution of human teeth and surrounding structures. CBCT is a noninvasive technique that allows studies to be conducted using a larger sample population[6] and is considered as appropriate •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ejprd.org - Published by Riset Publishing Services LLC

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