DOI: 10.36347/sjds.2018.v05i04.014

Pages: 241-247

The aim of this study was to clinically evaluate the prevalence of permanent mandibular first molars with three roots among Kashmiri (North Indian) population. Materials and Methods: 356 mandibular first permanent molars from 155 males and 181 females indicated for root canal treatment at the department of Pedodontics and Preventve Dentistry Government Dental College and Hospital Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) between Febuary 2015- Febuary 2016 were screened for radix entamolaris (RE) using periapical radiographs. The prevalence of a third root and the comparison of occurrence between males and females and between the right and left sides of the mandible were recorded using Pearson chi-square test with significant level set at p<0.05. Results: 37 patients were found to have RE with an overall prevalence of 11%. The incidence was 11.6% for females and 10.3% for males. There was statistically no significant difference in the prevalence of three rooted mandibular first permanent molars between males and females (p= 0.709). The prevalence of RE from the total teeth examined was 10.4%. The prevalence was 10.5% on right side and 10.2% on the left side. The difference between the right and left side was statistically non-significant (p=0.944). In conclusion the practicing dentists especially the pedodontists and endodontists should be familiar with the ethnic variations in root morphology so as to reduce failures caused by missed canals and roots while treating the mandibular molars. This data regarding the prevalence of RE in Kashmiri population, a North Indian state will provide a useful information to the clinicians to achieve a successful endodontic treatment.