Morphology of Root and C-Shape Canal in Prehispanic and Modern Maya Groups from Northern Yucatan

Abstract

One-rooted mandibular second molars arelabelled “C-molar” because of the root’s morphology.The frequency of C-molars is strongly associatedwith ethnic origin, being most common in North-EastAsians. The present study analyzed the frequency ofone-rooted molars and associated pulpal chamber in 48Prehispanic Mayans and in 142 modern subjects studiedat the School of Endodontics, UADY. The frequency ofone-rooted molars in the Prehispanic sample is 35%,with 32% of these having C-canals. Similarly, 42 of 142 (30%) modern teeth exhibit a C-canal. The similaritybetween ancient and modern samples suggests thatgenetic admixture since the European conquest has notaffected trait expression, and it implies that the Mayaexpress the Sinodontic pattern of dental morphology.Endodontically, the significant correlation betweenC-molar and C-canal is an advantage for recognizingthe canal’s anatomy if treatment is indicated.