Prevalence of middle Mesial canals in Mandibular first molars in patients visiting a dental institute in Eastern India

Aim: to determine the frequency of middle mesial (MM) canals in mandibular first molars in Eastern Indian population. Materials and methods: All mature mandibular first molars endodontically treated between March 2014 and March 2016were included in the study. After instrumenting the main canals, the clinician inspected the mesial developmental groove and, if found, was negotiated, cleaned, shaped, and recorded. Results: A total of 200 first molars were treated during the specified period, of which 27% had negotiable MM canals. The frequency of MM canals was 37% in patients 11–30 years old, 33.3% in patients 31–50 years old, and 29.6%in patients >50 years. Statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship of different age groups with the incidence of MM canals (P < 0.05). A significant relationship was also found between the detection rate of two canals in distal root and the presence of MM canals (P < 0.05) with gender having no influence. Conclusion: The presence of MM canals is quite high in Eastern Indian population. Younger patients had a higher incidence of MM canals. Mandibular first molars with two separate distal canals showed a tendency to have MM canals.