A retrospective in vivo study of endodontically treated mandiblar molars was conducted. The radilographs and clinical records of mandibular molars that had been treated endodontically in the Dental hospital of Yonsei University from 1986 to July 1997 were reviewed and categorized. A total of 1751 cases were studied and following results were obtained. 1. The number of root canals in mandibular first permanent molar in a Korean population revealed three in 53.2 %, four in 23.0 %, two in 18.4 %, C-shaped canal in 5.0 %, and one in 0.4 %. 2. In mandibular second molar, three canals was observed in 53.2 %, four in 22.2 %, two in 14.9%, C-shaped canal in 9.1 %, and one in 0.6%. 3. In the results of the percentage of 4 canals of mandibular first molars at various age, before age 20, 37.7 % was obtained whereas 19.3 % after 30. 4. 7.94 % of mandibular first molars examined were found to have three roots. 5. The mandibular second molar had C-shaped canals in 9.1 %.