C-shaped maxillary permanent first molar: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Introduction: The C-shaped configuration is rare in the upper first molar.The purpose of this article is to present 2 cases diagnosed during endodontic therapy and perform a literature review of this anatomy in the upper first molar.

Methods: Endodontic therapy was performed by using a dental operating microscope and a cone-beam computed tomography analysis for better understanding of this anatomy. A literature search was conducted to identify and compare all the published cases of C-shaped upper first molar.

Results: Before the cases reported in this article, only 5 cases were available in the published literature. Three different types of C-shaped configurations in the upper first molar have been presented.

Conclusions: The C-shaped maxillary first molar is a rare anatomic configuration. The use of the dental operating microscope may help in the endodontic therapy of these cases. Three types of C-shaped configurations have been reported; the fusion of the distobuccal root with the palatal root appears to be the most usual one.

Keywords: Anatomy; C-shape; maxilla; molar.