• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.75-78
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• 2015

Presented here is a case where 8 canals were located in a mandibular first molar. A patient with continuing pain in mandibular left first molar even after completion of biomechanical preparation was referred by a dentist. Following basic laws of the pulp chamber floor anatomy, 8 canals were located in three steps with 4 canals in each root. In both of the roots, 4 separate canals commenced which joined into two canals and exited as two separate foramina. At 6 mon follow-up visit, the tooth was found to be asymptomatic and revealed normal radiographic periapical area. The case stresses on the fact that understanding the laws of pulp chamber anatomy and complying with them while attempting to locate additional canals can prevent missing canals.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.302-305
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• 2010

Mandibular premolars show a wide variety of root canal anatomy. Especially, the occurrence of three canals with three separate foramina in mandibular second premolars is very rare. This case report describes the root canal treatment of an unusual morphological configuration of the root canal system and supplements previous reports of the existence of such configuration in mandibular second premolar.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.84-93
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• 2018

Purpose: This study evaluated the apical root canal system of maxillary second molars, in which conventional endodontic treatment had failed. Materials and Methods: One hundred eighteen extracted endodontically failed maxillary second molars were examined to investigate the root canal morphology using clinical photographs. High-resolution cross-sectional images at the 3mm level from the root apices were taken to evaluate the anatomic variations and canal cleanliness. The incidence of anatomic variations and canals containing debris were evaluated statistically. Results: One (0.85%) maxillary second molar had four separate roots, while 52 (44.07%) had three separate roots. The remaining 65 (55.08%) showed 6 different types of fusion in their roots. As the number of fused roots increased from none to three, the incidence of isthmuses in the cross-sectional images increased significantly from 43.40% to 76.92% in 2-root fusion and 88.46% in 3-root fusion. In addition, the occurrence of less-cleansed canals increased from 22.64% to 38.46% and 53.85%, respectively (p<0.05). Sixty four teeth (54.24%) had 3 canals while 38(32.2%) had additional canals; most of them were located in the MB roots (81.58%). Seventy six (64.41%) had isthmuses in the apical region and 58 out of 76 were located in MB roots. Condlusions: Logistic analysis indicated that the less division of roots was associated significantly with the occurrence of insufficient cleaning during endodontic treatment (OR=1.765, p<0.05), while the presence of an additional canal showed no association.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.161-165
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• 2015

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans appears to be a valuable method for assessing pulp canal configuration. The aim of this report is to describe endodontic treatment of a mandibular second premolar with aberrant pulp canal morphology detected by CBCT and confirmed by 3D modeling. An accessory canal was suspected during endodontic treatment of the mandibular left second premolar in a 21 year old woman with a chief complaint of pulsating pain. Axial cross-sectional CBCT scans revealed that the pulp canal divided into mesiobuccal, lingual, and buccal canals in the middle third and ended as four separate foramina. 3D modeling confirmed the anomalous configuration of the fused root with a deep lingual groove. Endodontic treatment of the tooth was completed in two appointments. The root canals were obturated using lateral compaction of gutta-percha and root canal sealer. The tooth remained asymptomatic and did not develop periapical pathology until 12 months postoperatively. CBCT and 3D modeling enable preoperative evaluation of aberrant root canal systems and facilitate endodontic treatment.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2016

Objectives: The goal of this study was to compare the density of gutta-percha root fillings obturated with the following techniques: cold lateral (CL) compaction, ultrasonic lateral (UL) compaction, and warm vertical (WV) compaction. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three extracted mandibular first molars, with two separate mesial canals in each, were selected. After instrumentation, the canals were stratified into three groups based on canal length and curvature, and underwent obturation with one of the techniques. No sealer was used in order to avoid masking any voids. The teeth were imaged pre- and post-obturation using micro-computed tomography. The reconstructed three-dimensional images were analyzed volumetrically to determine the amount of gutta-percha present in every 2 mm segment of the canal. P values < 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: The overall mean volume fraction of gutta-percha was $68.51{\pm}6.75%$ for CL, $86.56{\pm}5.00%$ for UL, and $88.91{\pm}5.16%$ for WV. Significant differences were found between CL and UL and between CL and WV (p < 0.05), but not between UL and WV (p = 0.526). The gutta-percha density of the roots treated with WV and UL increased towards the coronal aspect, but this trend was not noted in the CL group. Conclusions: WV compaction and UL compaction produced a significantly denser gutta-percha root filling than CL compaction. The density of gutta-percha was observed to increase towards the coronal aspect when the former two techniques were used.