• 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.22 no.1
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• pp.291-304
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• 1997

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the changes in root canal configuration with canal instrumentation using different file types and techniques and to investigate most appropriate instrumentation technique in maintaining the original canal configuration with different file types. Fifty curved mesiobuccal or distobuccal canals of extracted human maxillary molar teeth were instrumented using a step-back technique with stainless steel K-files or nickel-titanium K-files, a crown-down pressureless technique with stainless steel K-files or nickel-titanium K-files and nickel-titanium engine-driven files. Radiographs were taken before and after instrumentation using a specially designed device that allowed for the pre-and postinstrumentation canals to be taken with the same X-ray angulation. Magnified X-ray images on a magnifier screen were traced and post instrumentation canal images were compared with the preinstrumentation ones. Changes in canal curvature and the incidence of procedural accidents were analyzed. The results were as follows : Crown-down pressureless technique with nickel-titanium K-files and nickel-titanium engine-driven filing produced no significant changes in canal curvature (p>0.05), while the step-back technique with stainless steel K-files or nickel-titanium K-files (p<0.01) and the crown-down pressureless technique with stainless steel K-files (p<0.05) produced significant changes. With nickel-titanium K-file, crown-down pressureless technique produced significantly less changes in canal curvature than step-back technique (p<0.05), while there was no significant difference between techniques with stainless steel K-files (p>0.05). File types exerted no significant influences in the changes of canal curvature both in the step-back technique and crown-down pressureless technique (0>0.05). Regardless of the file types used, step-back technique produced more procedural accidents such as ledge or elbow formation, apical zipping and apical transportation than the crowndown pressureless technique and nickel-titanium engine-driven filing. Both with stainless steel K-files and with nickel-titanium K-files, the incidence of apical extrusion of canal debris was higher in step-back technique than in crown-down pressureless technique.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.232-240
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• 2003

This study is to investigate the canal system in the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molar. 61 maxillary first molars were randomly selected. Serial transverse sections were made perpendicular to the long axis of the mesiobuccal root. Each section was placed in 3% sodium hypochlorite for 24 hours and rinsed in water and dried. The resected surface was stained with 2% methylene blue dye and examined with stereomicroscope. 1 Canal configuration analysis showed that 36.1% of the specimen classified as type I, 16.4% as type II , 37.7% as type III and 9.8% as type IV. 2. Type II canal was merged in one canal within 1 to 4mm of the apex. 40% of type II canal converged at 2mm of the apex. 3. Type IV canal was divided into two canal within 2 to 4mm of the apex. 66.6% of type IV canal branched off at 2mm of the apex. 4. None of the sections had more than two main root canal. 5. 48.4% of the sections in 3mm with two canals contained an isthmusand more than 70% with two canals has isthmus at 4 to 5mm sections. 63.9% of the mesiobuccal root of maxillary first molar had two canaland 76.5% of sections with two canals in 5 MM had an isthmus. Because of this complexity the clinician should always search for extra canal carefullyand root canal system, including an isthmus, should be cleaned and shaped completelyand obturated three dimensionally for successful endodontic treatment.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2015

Variation in root canal morphology, especially in maxillary first molar presents a constant challenge for a clinician in their detection and management. This case report describes the successful root canal treatment of a three rooted right maxillary first molar presenting with three canals each in the mesiobuccal and distobuccal roots and one canal in the palatal root. The clinical detection of this morphologic aberration was made using a dental operating microscope, and the canal configuration was established after correlating and computing the clinical, radiographic and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan findings. CBCT images confirmed the configuration of the canals in the mesiobuccal and distobuccal roots to be Al-Qudah and Awawdeh type (3-2) and type (3-2-1), respectively, whereas the palatal root had a Vertucci type I canal pattern. This report reaffirms the importance of careful examination of the floor of the pulp chamber with a dental operating microscope and the use of multiangled preoperative radiographs along with advanced diagnostic aids such as CBCT in identification and successful management of aberrant canal morphologies.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.35.1-35.7
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• 2018

The aim of this article was to showcase the endodontic management of a maxillary first molar with an unusual crown and root anatomy. Clinical diagnosis of the roots and root canal configuration was confirmed by a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the detection of the canals was made using a dental operating microscope. CBCT images revealed the presence of 5 roots with Vertucci type I canal configuration in all, except, in the middle root which had 2 canals with type IV configuration. The 6 canal orifices were clinically visualized under the dental operating microscope. Clinicians should familiarize themselves with the latest technologies to get additional information in endodontic practice in order to enhance the outcomes of endodontic therapy.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.172-177
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• 2013

The mesiobuccal root of the maxillary molars is well known to pose a hindrance during endodontic therapy. Presented here is a case of a maxillary left second molar where three canals were located in its mesiobuccal root with the use of visual and diagnostic aids. Difficulties encountered during the process of unveiling the tooth's internal anatomy were discussed. The dilemmas encountered pertained to the root canal configuration, the nomenclature of the extra canals, and the justification for the presence of a third canal. The root canal configuration of 3-2-1 was confirmed for the mesiobuccal root using information gained from clinical, radiographic, and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scan findings. This case demonstrates the need for efforts to locate extra canals in the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary molars as their internal anatomy remains a mystery.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.12.1-12.9
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• 2021

Objectives: The present study aims to compare the obturation quality of 2 confluence confirmation techniques in artificial maxillary first premolars showing Vertucci type II root canal configuration. Materials and Methods: Thirty artificial maxillary premolars having Vertucci type II root canal configuration were made. They were divided into 3 groups according to the confluence confirmation technique as follows. Gutta-percha indentation (GPI) group (confluence confirmation using a gutta-percha cone and a K file); electronic apex locator (EAL) group (confluence confirmation using K files and EAL); and no confluence detection (NCD) group. In the GPI group and the EAL group, shaping and obturation were performed with the modified working length (WL). In the NCD group, shaping was performed without WL adjustment and obturation was carried out with an adjusted master cone. Micro-computed tomography was used before preparation and after obturation to calculate the percentage of gutta-percha occupied volume (%GPv) and the volume increase in the apical 4 mm. Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey's test. Results: Statistically significant difference was not found in terms of the %GPv from the apex to apical 4 mm. However, the NCD group showed a statistically significant volume increase compared with the EAL group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In terms of gutta-percha occupied volume, no significant difference was observed among the 3 groups. Confluence confirmation using an EAL in teeth with Vertucci type II configuration showed less volume increase during canal shaping compared with no confluence confirmation.

• 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.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.432-440
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to identificate root canal system including ideal access placement, root curvature, canal configuration, incidence of isthmus in mandibular incisors for success of endodontic treatment. 200 mandibular incisors were selected. The ideal access placement was determimed as follows. The teeth there radiographed from mesiodistal and buccolingual views using intraoral dental film. The image was divided into coronal, middle and apical third using the proximal film. Straight line access was determined by measuring the faciolingual canal width and placing points at midway point between the buccal and lingual wall at the junction of the middle and apical third and at the juntion of coronal and middle third of the root canal. A line was drawn connecting these two points extending through the crown of the tooth. The point at which the line crossed the external crown surface was recorded as facial, incisal, lingual. Degree of root curvature was determined by Schneider Protractor Method. Both section method and clearing method were used in this study. By section method, 100 mandibular incisors were embedded in clear resin and transeverse serial sectioned at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0mm level from root apex. The resected surfaces were stained by methylene blue and examined under $\times$40 magnification with a stereomicroscope. By clearing method, 100 mandibular incisors were cleared in methysalicylate after decalcification with 10% nitric acid and evaluated under $\times$18 magnification with a stereomicroscope. The results were as follows ; 1. 29% had the center of the plotted straight-line access facial to incisal edge, whereas 71% had straight-line access at the incisal edge. When incisal wear classified as extensive, the straight-line access was plotted on the incisal edge 95.5%. When incisal wear classified as slight/none, the straight-line access was plotted on the facial 65.9%. 2. Degree of curvature of main canal was straight or almost straight, and only 10% in buccolingual direction had a degree of curvature greater than 20 degrees and 5.5% in mesiodistal direction had. 3. In section method, canal configuration analysis showed that 51% of the specimen classified as type I, 27% as type II, 12% as type III, 10% as type IV. For theses setions with two canals, the incidence of an isthmus was 36.7%, 64.3%, 79.2%, 96.3%, 97.4%, 97.6% at each level and highest in 3~5mm sections. 4. In clearing method, canal configuration analysis showed that 74% of the specimen classified as type I, 11% as type II, 6% as type III, 9% as type IV. These results suggested that traditional access from lingual should be moved as far toward the incisal as possible to locate and debride the lingual canal and root canal system should be cleaned, shaped completely and obturated three dimensionally for successful endodontic treatment.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.393-401
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to compare the canal configuration after shaping by ProTaper rotary files and ProTaper hand files in resin simulated canals. Forty resin simulated canals with a curvature of J-shape and S-shape were divided into four groups by 10 blocks each Simulated root canals in resin block were prepared by ProTaper rotary files and ProTaper hand files using a crown-down pressureless technique All simulated canals were prepared up to size $\#25$ file at end-point of preparation. Pre- and post-instrumentation images were recorded with color scanner. Assessment of canal shape was completed with an image analysis program. Measurements were made at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 mm from the apex. At each level, outer canal width, inner canal width, total canal width, and amount of transportation from original axis were recorded. Instrumentation time was recorded. The data were analyzed statistically using independent t-test. The result was that ProTaper hand files cause significantly less canal transportation from original axis of canal body and maintain original canal configuration better than ProTaper rotary files, however ProTaper hand files take more shaping time.