Let me ‘C’!

Mandibular second molars most commonly have three root canals, two in the mesial root and one in the distal root. Sometimes the canals can present in a ‘C’ shape on the pulp floor, this can range from 0.6-45.5% (Fernandes et al. 2014), being most commonly found in Asian populations. Needless to say, this offers a a challenge when it comes to endodontically treating these teeth.

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This pulp chamber of this second mandibular molar was accessed by the referring dentist which helped in removing the pain that was troubling the patient. There is a radiolucency mesially which suggests there may still be some decayed tooth that needs to be removed. Otherwise, there seems to be nothing out of the normal with the root morphology.

Once accessed I could see the the canals of this tooth it was clear that it was in a C-shape configuration. There was one clear canal in the mesial root and one clear canal in the distal root. The third canal was positioned just buccal to the distal canal.

All three canals were prepared and irrigated thoroughly ready for obturation.

Once the canals were dried they were obturated with gutta percha using a warm condensation technique, and a GIC restoration placed to give a good coronal seal.

All canals have a well condensed root filling and both canals are visible in the distal root.

A really interesting case to treat!