USE OF TOOTH CLEARING TECHNIQUE TO DETERMINE ROOT AND CANAL MORPHOLOGY OF PERMANENT MANDIBULAR THIRD MOLARS IN POPULATION OF PESHAWAR: AN IN VITRO CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

OBJECTIVE: To find out number of roots, root-canals and canal configuration in permanent mandibular third molars through tooth clearing technique. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 193 extracted human with completely formed apical foramen intact roots were collected from both genders treated at dental hospitals Peshawar, Pakistan 1st July to 31st December 2019. After collection teeth visually inspected count followed by access cavity preparation, pulp extirpation staining black Indian ink. Decalcification was done placing nitric acid for 5 days dehydration ascending concentrations alcohol. Complete transparency achieved immersing methyl-salicylate 72 hours. Transparent again root-canals. RESULTS: Among molars, (n=161; 83.4%) had two-roots (n=24; 12.4%) single-rooted. Two-canals present vast majority (n=142; 73.6%) whereas three one-canal seen (n=37; 19.2%) (n=13; 6.7%) respectively. Most common type root pattern Vertucci’s Type-I mesial-roots (n=79; 63.7%) distal-roots (n=120; 96.8%). Type-II Type-IV (n=15; 12.1%) (n=12; 9.7%) the Mandibular didn’t any configurations that fullfill criteria. Correlation between non-significant. CONCLUSION: Two-roots two-canals patterns molars. Mesial distal predominant classification.