Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part E (2020)

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the detection efficacy of three methods frequently used in dental practice (Naked eye, use of microscope, and CBCT) to locate second mesio-buccal (MB2) canals in maxillary first molars. A total of 156 extracted human maxillary first molars were evaluated. Analyses were performed with Naked eye method and using a microscope. A third analysis was conducted using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Teeth were sectioned horizontally into three parts (cervical, medial and apical thirds) to confirm the presence of MB2 canals (reference standard method). No statistically significant differences were observed in the frequency of MB2 found between CBCT and the reference standard. CBCT had higher diagnostic value than the other two methods. CBCT was the most accurate method for detecting the MB2 and it had a diagnostic efficacy similar to that of the reference standard method.