Morphology and root canal configuration of maxillary lateral incisors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 22418 - 8
• Main Authors: Wolf, Thomas Gerhard, Rempapi, Theodora, Wierichs, Richard Johannes, Waber, Andrea Lisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 28.09.2024; Nature Publishing Group UK; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: Computed tomography; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography - methods; Dental Pulp Cavity - anatomy & histology; Dental Pulp Cavity - diagnostic imaging; Endodontics; Female; Humans; Incisor - anatomy & histology; Incisor - diagnostic imaging; Incisors; Internal morphology; Male; Maxilla; Maxilla - anatomy & histology; Maxillary lateral incisors; Meta-analysis; Micro-computed tomography; Morphology; Physiological foramen geometry; Root canal configuration; Root canals; Physiological foramen geometry; Root canal configuration; Micro-computed tomography; Maxillary lateral incisors; Internal morphology
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-74026-y

The purpose of this study was to explore maxillary lateral incisors (MxLI) intern morphology by analyzing existing literature. We searched five electronical databases (Cochrane, Embase, LILACS, Scopus, MEDLINE via PubMed) using keywords and predefined search terms. Additional studies were identified by cross-referencing and reviewing bibliographies of relevant articles. From 92 initial studies, 27 duplicates were removed, and 65 records screened. After full-text review and hand searching were 19 studies included. The most reported root canal configurations (RCC) of MxLI were Vertucci (Ve) I (1-1-1/1; 78.1-100%), Ve II (2-2-1/1; 0.2-5%), Ve III (1-2-1/1; 0.1-14.6%), Ve IV (2-2-2/2; 0.5%), and Ve V (1-1-2/2; 0.5-4.9%). A meta-analysis of six studies from Europe and Asia indicated sex-differentiated patterns in RCC prevalence: higher occurrences of Ve II (2-2-1/1; OR [95%CI] = 1.19 [0.51, 2.73]), Ve III (1-2-1/1; (OR [95%CI] = 1.72 [0.61, 4.85]), and Ve V (1-1-2/2; (OR [95%CI] = 2.95 [1.02, 8.55]) configurations were noted in males, whereas females predominantly exhibited Ve I (1-1-1/1; [95%CI] = 0.99 [0.97, 1.02]), and Ve IV (2-2-2/2; (OR [95%CI] = 0.11 [0.01, 2.02]). Examination methods varied, with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) being most commonly (n = 11), followed by staining & clearing (n = 5), and radiographic analysis (n = 1). The predominant RCC in MxLI is type Vertucci I. CBCT is the most common method for assessing the morphology of root canals. However, up to 20% of cases may present with complex and sex-specific patterns, highlighting the need for clinicians to be aware of these differences to prevent complications during endodontic treatments.