Root canal morphology of mandibular premolars.

Four hundred mandibular first premolars and 400 mandibular second premolars were decalcified, injected with dye, and made transparent to determine the number of root canals, their type, the ramifications of the main root canal, the location of apical foramina and transverse anastomoses, and the frequency of apical deltas. The mandibular first premolar had one canal at the apex in 74.0% of the teeth, two canals at the apex in 25.5%, and three canals at the apex in 0.5% of the teeth. The mandibular second premolar had one canal at the apex in 97.5% and two canals at the apex in 2.5% of the teeth.