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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Successful root canal therapy requires extensive knowledge of root canal morphology and configuration of teeth.Various studies have reportedthat the frequency of missed second mesio buccal canal (MB2) canal in maxillary first molars is very high. METHODOLOGY: The purpose of the current study wasto determine the occurrence of MB2 in maxillary first molar in a Saudi sub-population that was referred to the clinics for primary endodontic treatment. After creating a rhomboidal access under magnification (Dental Loupes, Orascoptic 2.5 x) the MB2 canals was identified and verified by a radiograph. The association between age, gender and frequency of MB2 canal was determined with chi-square test(p,0.05) using the SPSS software. RESULTS: Second mesiobuccal canal was found in 45% of the. Further, 36% females and 55% males had a second MB canal. About 64% and 36% of the second MB canals exited from one and two foramens respectively. There was no statistical difference observed in the incidence of types of MB canals with regards to age and gender. CONCLUSION: The use of surgical telescopes, head lamps along with modified access preparations helped locating MB2 canals in half of our study population.