Root canal morphology of mandibular incisors in a Jordanian population

Aim To investigate the root canal morphology of mandibular incisors in a Jordanian population using a canal staining and tooth-clearing technique. Methodology Four hundred and fifty extracted mandibular incisors were collected from dental clinics within north Jordan. Following pulp tissue removal and staining of the canal systems, the teeth were decalcified with 5% nitric acid, dehydrated with ascending concentrations of alcohol and rendered clear by immersion in methyl salicylate. Cleared teeth were examined by eye and the following features were evaluated: (i) number and type of root canals; (ii) presence and location of lateral canals and intercanal communications; (iii) location of apical foramina; and (iv) frequency of apical deltas. Results The majority of mandibular incisors had a single canal (73.8% of teeth possessed a Type I canal system). Although 26.2% of the roots possessed two canals, only 8.7% had two separate apical foramina. Conclusions The prevalence of two canals in this group of mandibular incisors was 26.2% and is within the range of previous studies performed on populations of different racial origin.