Root Canal Configurations and Morphological Variations in Maxillary and Mandibular Second Molars in a Pakistani Population

OBJECTIVE

To determine the dental morphology and root canal anatomy of maxillary and mandibular second molars in Pakistani population living in Hyderabad.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, from April to May 2023.

METHODOLOGY

This study analysed the number of roots, root canal configurations, and frequency of C-shaped root canals and their configuration assessment. The data was obtained from Cone Beam Computerised Tomography (CBCT) records sourced from the Department of Radiology at Advanced Dental Care Centre of LUMHS.

RESULTS

Two-rooted maxillary second molar was present in 10.6% of teeth, while 5.3% were single-rooted. Among mandibular second molars, 6.8% had one root, while 2.3% had three. The maxillary second molar mesiobuccal roots were Type I in 47.7% cases. The maxillary second molars had C1-shaped canals in 3.8% of cases. The study revealed that 10.6% of mandibular second molars had C-shaped canals, 3.0% were C1, 6.8% C3a, and 0.8% C4. A minority of patients had palatal morphology with two roots (MP and DP) and Type 1 canal structure, while a subset had both MP and DP canals.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of radix in mandibular second molars was found to be relatively infrequent. The prevalent root canal configurations were Type I in the mesiobuccal and palatal roots and Type IV in the mesial root of mandibular second molars. A noteworthy correlation was detected between the molar type characterised by a single root and the existence of a C-shaped canal in the female population.

KEY WORDS

CBCT, Dental anatomy, Gender, Root canal, Morphology, Pakistani population.

The quality of life of HIV positive Transgender and homosexual population in Karachi, Pakistan

Objectives

To study the demographics and the quality of life of Transgenders and men who have sex with men (MSM) infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Methods

A Cross sectional study conducted from 2019 to 2021 in the Indus Hospital Karachi. A 30 minutes interview was conducted among HIV positive homosexual participants.

Results

Out of 100 patients enrolled 58% were transgender, 39% uneducated, 76% not supported financially by family, 20% reported hospital misconduct, 50% were commercial sex workers and 64% had anxiety. Our results also showed that increasing patient knowledge does not guarantee safe sex habits (p-value=0.82).

Conclusion

We found declining psycho-social wellbeing in this population. Education and family support may help establish a good standard of living in them. More studies are needed in the Pakistani transgender population in order to understand their needs better.