AbstractBackground and objectives: The aim of this study was to get data of internal anatomy of first and second mandibular premolars and to access percentage variations of root canal morphology of mandibular premolars in Kashmiri population based on Vertucci’s classification by clearing technique.
Methodology: A total of 100 extracted intact permanent mandibular premolars (50 each mandibular first premolar and mandibular second premolar) with fully formed apices were collected. Access cavity was prepared with endo access bur, all samples were placed in 5% sodium hypochlorite for 48 hours, after that all samples were washed in running water for 2 hours. After washing, all samples were transferred to 5% nitric acid, for decalcification, for 72 hours, with the acid being changed every 24 hours and stirred once every 8 hours. All samples were washed in running water and dehydrated using ascending grades (70%, 80%, 90% and 100%) of isopropyl alcohol for 2 days. Finally, they were rendered transparent by immersion in methyl salicylate for 15 minutes and then India ink dye was injected into the access cavity. The anatomy of the root canal was observed and classified based on the Vertucci’ s classification.
Results: In mandibular first premolar, type 1 was found in 50%, type 2 was 6%, type 3 was 6%, type 4 was 20%, type 5 was 10% and type 6 was 4% and type 7 was found in 4% of the sample. Whereas, in mandibular second premolar, type 1 was found in 70% out of all samples, type 4 was 6%, type 5 was 24%. Type 2, type 3, type 6, type 7 and type 8 were not found in this study.
Conclusion: Mandibular first premolar showed higher variation compared to mandibular second premolar.