Maxillary first molar with seven root canals diagnosed with cone-beam computed tomography scanning

• Main Authors: Anil Munavalli, Sharnappa Kambale, Siddhesh Bandekar, Nishant Ajgaonkar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2015-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Dental Research
• Subjects: Cone-beam computed tomography scanning; maxillary first molar; root canals; root canal anatomy
• Online Access: http://www.ijdr.in/article.asp?issn=0970-9290;year=2015;volume=26;issue=1;spage=82;epage=85;aulast=Munavalli
• ISSN: 0970-9290; 1998-3603

Nonsurgical endodontic therapy of a right maxillary first molar with three roots and seven root canals. This unusual morphology was diagnosed using a dental operating microscope (DOM) and confirmed with the help of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. CBCT axial images showed that both the palatal and distobuccal root have a Vertucci type II canal pattern, whereas the mesiobuccal root showed a Sert and Bayirli type XVIII canal configuration. The use of a DOM and CBCT imaging in endodontically challenging cases can facilitate a better understanding of the complex root canal anatomy, which ultimately enables the clinician to explore the root canal system and clean, shape, and obturate it more efficiently.