• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.335-342
• /
• 2007

C-shaped canals are known to present a complex canal anatomy with numerous fins connecting individual canals, thus requiring supplementary effort to accomplish a successful root canal treatment. This study examined the frequency of the C-shaped mandibular second molars and interrelation between the clinical records and radiographs to recognize them treated in the Department of Conservative Dentistry of the Chosun University Dental Hospital during a six-year period (1998-2004). This study reviewed the clinical records of 227 patients who underwent root canal treatment of the mandibular second molars. After opening the chamber, those cases with C-shaped orifices in the pulpal floor were selected, ana the C-shaped root canal types were classified according to Melton's criteria. Three experienced dentists evaluated the radiographs of the C-shaped mandibular second molar on a viewer using a magnifying glass in order to determine if the root apex was fused or separated, the distal root canal was either centered or mesial shifted in the distal root, and if there was bilateral symmetry in a panorama. In conclusion, there is a high frequency of C-shaped mandibular second molars in Koreans. Simultaneous interpretation of the root shape and distal root canal using the preoperative, working length and post-treatment radiographs is important for diagnosing a C-shaped mandibular second molar.

• Proceedings of the KACD Conference
• /
• 2001.11a
• /
• pp.563.2-563
• /
• 2001

C-shaped canal configuration is very difficult to treat because that clues about preoperative canal anatomy cannot be ascertained from clinical crown morphology and limited information can be derived from the radiographic examination. This study was done to get more informations about the root and canal configuration of C-shaped root by 3-dimentionally reconstructing for the purpose of enhancing success rate of endodontic treatment. 30 mandibular molars with C-shaped root were selected. Teeth had been extracted from periodontal problems with sound crown and root portion, including teeth with caries lesion limited crown portion only.(omitted)

• Proceedings of the KACD Conference
• /
• 2001.11a
• /
• pp.554-554
• /
• 2001

C-shaped canal configuration is very difficult to treat because that clues about preoperative canal anatomy cannot be ascertained from clinical crown morphology and limited information can be derived from the radiographic examination. This study was done to get more informations about the root and canal configuration of C-shaped root by 3-dimentionally reconstructing for the purpose of enhancing success rate of endodontic treatment. 30 mandibular molars with C-shaped root were selected. Teeth had been extracted from periodontal problems with sound crown and root portion, including teeth with caries lesion limited crown portion only.(omitted)

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.37-46
• /
• 2007

The C-shaped canal system is an anatomical variation mostly seen in mandibular second molars, although it can also occur in maxillary and other mandibular molars. The main anatomical feature of C-shaped canals is the presence of fins or web connecting the individual root canals. The complexity of C-shaped canals prevents these canals from being cleaned, shaped, and obturated effectively during root canal therapy, and sometimes it leads to an iatrogenic perforation from the extravagant preparation. The purpose of this study was to provide further knowledge of the anatomical configuration and the minimal thickness of dentinal wall according to the level of the root. Thirty extracted mandibular second molars with fused roots and longitudinal grooves on lingual or buccal surface of the root were collected from a native Korean population. The photo images and radiographs from buccal, lingual, apical direction were taken. After access cavity was prepared, teeth were placed in 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution for 2 hours to dissolve the organic tissue of the root surface and from the root canal system. After bench dried and all the teeth were embedded in a self-curing resin. Each block was sectioned using a microtome (Accutom-50, Struers, Denmark) at interval of 1 mm. The sectioned surface photograph was taken using a digital camera (Coolpix 995, Nikon, Japan) connected to the microscope. 197 images were evaluated for canal configurations and the minimal thickness of dentinal wall between canal and external wall using 'Root Thickness Gauge Program' designed with Visual Basic. The results were as follows : 1. At the orifice level of all teeth, the most frequent observed configuration was Melton's Type C I (73%), however the patterns were changed to type C II and C III when the sections were observed at the apical third. On the other hand, the type C III was observed at the orifice level of only 2 teeth but this type could be seen at apical region of the rest of the teeth. 2. The C-shaped canal showed continuous and semi-colon shape at the orifice level, but at the apical portion of the canal there was high possibility of having 2 or 3 canals 3. Lingual wall was thinner than buccal wall at coronal, middle, apical thirds of root but there was no statistical differences.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.58 no.2
• /
• pp.95-102
• /
• 2020

Purpose:The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of the second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal, root fusion, and C-shaped root canal configuration in the Korean maxillary first (MM1) and second (MM2) molars by analyzing cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images. Materials and methods: Patients undergoing presurgical CBCT examination were included in the current study. The CBCT images of 1498 MM1 and 1742 MM2 from 1658 Korean patients were assessed to determine the incidence of a MB2 canal, the types of canal configurations, root fusion, and C-shaped root canal configurations. Further, the correlations between the incidence of MB2 canal and age, gender, and tooth position were analyzed. Results: The study population was relatively old (mean age: 66.1 years). The percentage of MB2 canals in MB roots was 60.1% and 28.0% in MM1 and MM2, respectively, with the most common configurations being Weine type III in MM1 and Weine type II in MM2. Additionally, the frequency of a MB2 canal decreased with age in both molars and was higher in men than in women in the MM1 only. Furthermore, root fusion was present in 2.3% and 26.2% of the MM1 and MM2, respectively, whereas C-shaped root canals were observed in 0.4% and 2.7% of the MM1 and MM2, respectively. Conclusion: The MB2 canal was found more frequently in the MM1, whereas root fusion and C-shaped root canals were both seen more frequently in the MM2.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.346-349
• /
• 2009

Mandibular second molars have many variations in canal configuration. Technical modifications in cleaning, shaping and obturation are required. The purpose of this study was to investigate the root canal anatomy of mandibular second molars. 86 teeth of 85 patients were accessed and evaluated with taking radiographs for working length determination. 27 teeth(31.4%) had C-shaped canals, 43 teeth(50%) had 3 canals, 11 teeth(12.7%) had 4 canals, 5 teeth(5.8%) had 2 canals. Incidence of C-shaped canal was 31.7% in male and 31.1% in female. 30.9% of left mandibular second molar and 31.8% of right mandibular second molar showed C-shaped canals.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.68-73
• /
• 2016

This case report describes a unique C-shaped mandibular second premolar with four canals and three apical foramina and its endodontic management with the aid of cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT). C-shaped root canal morphology with four canals was identified under a dental operating microscope. A CBCT scan was taken to evaluate the aberrant root canal anatomy and devise a better instrumentation strategy based on the anatomy. All canals were instrumented to have a 0.05 taper using 1.0 mm step-back filing with appropriate apical sizes determined from the CBCT scan images and filled using a warm vertical compaction technique. A C-shaped mandibular second premolar with multiple canals is an anatomically rare case for clinicians, yet its endodontic treatment may require a careful instrumentation strategy due to the difficulty in disinfecting the canals in the thin root area without compromising the root structure.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.142-148
• /
• 2016

본 연구의 목적은 특이한 C형 치근과 근관을 가지고 있는 상악 제 1대구치의 근관치료 증례를 콘빔단층촬영을 사용하여 진단 및 치료하였음을 보고하는 것이다. 본 증례에서는 특이적인 해부학적 근관 형태가 콘빔단층촬영을 사용하여 확인되었으며 비외과적 근관치료가 시행되었다. 촬영한 영상에서 모든 치근이 C 형태로 융합되어 있으며 독립적인 4개의 근관을 포함하고 있음이 관찰되었다. C형 근관계의 복잡성을 고려할 때 콘빔단층촬영이 적절한 근관계의 확인과 의원성 손상을 예방하기 위해 유용한 보조적 방법인 것으로 보여진다.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.95-101
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study used cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) to characterize mandibular molar root and canal morphology and its variability in Belgian and Chilean population samples. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the CBCT images of 515 mandibular molars (257 from Belgium and 258 from Chile). Molars meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed to determine (1) the number of roots; (2) the root canal configuration; (3) the presence of a curved canal in the cross-sectional image of the distal root in the mandibular first molar and (4) the presence of a C-shaped canal in the second mandibular molar. A descriptive analysis was performed. The association between national origin and the presence of a curved or C-shaped canal was evaluated using the chi-squared test. Results: The most common configurations in the mesial root of both molars were type V and type III. In the distal root, type I canal configuration was the most common. Curvature in the cross-sectional image was found in 25% of the distal canals of the mandibular first molars in the Belgian population, compared to 11% in the Chilean population. The prevalence of C-shaped canals was 10% or less in both populations. Conclusion: In cases of unclear or complex root and canal morphology in the mandibular molars, CBCT imaging might assist endodontic specialists in making an accurate diagnosis and in treatment planning.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.19-25
• /
• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the success rate of intentionally replanted mandibular second molar with C-shaped canal configurations and to access the impact of preoperative periapical lesion on the success of intentional replantation procedure. Materials and Methods: This retrospective chart review study evaluated 52 intentionally replanted mandibular second molar teeth treated at Seoul National University Dental Hospital Department of Conservative Dentistry from January 2005 to December 2007. Seventeen teeth were lost for the follow-up, and another 6 teeth did not meet inclusion criteria of C-shaped root canal configurations. Healing outcome such as success, uncertain healing, and failure after follow-up was evaluated by clinical criteria and radiographs. Results: The overall success rate was 72.4% for the 29 intentionally replanted C-shaped mandibular second molars. The success rate of replanted teeth with preoperative periapical lesions was similar to that of replanted teeth which have no periapical lesions. Conclusions: Therefore, root canal treatment failure on C-shaped mandibular second molar can be predictably treated by intentional replantation regardless of the presence of periapical lesion.