Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2023 Jul-Aug;26(4):478-483.
doi: 10.4103/jcd.jcd_322_23. Epub 2023 Jul 28.

See-through "C": Case series

Mousumi Biswas  1 , Dibyendu Mazumder  1 , Kallol Kumar Saha  1 , Lugu Buru Murmu  1 , Siddhartha Das  1 , Srimanta Banerjee  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

See-through "C": Case series

Mousumi Biswas et al. J Conserv Dent Endod. 2023 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Successful endodontic treatment relies upon a thorough knowledge of root canal anatomical variations along with proper diagnosis, treatment planning, and clinical expertise. One of the difficult root canal configurations that are frequently encountered commonly in mandibular second molars is C-shaped root canal. Due to the intricate root canal configuration, it is often difficult to negotiate, debride, and obturate such canals leading to failure of root canal treatment. Understanding the anatomical variation and adequate visualization will enable the clinician to manage these cases effectively. Advanced irrigation and obturation techniques help in managing such anomalous canal configurations. This article presents the management of two different C-shaped root canal configurations under dental operating microscope using thermoplasticized obturation techniques.

Keywords: C-shaped canal; dental operating microscope; mineral trioxide aggregate; thermoplasticized obturation; ultrasonic irrigation; ultrasonic tip.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Preoperative radiograph
Figure 2
Figure 2
C1-shaped canal orifice under microscope
Figure 3
Figure 3
W/L determination
Figure 4
Figure 4
Canal orifice enlarged by ultrasonic tip
Figure 5
Figure 5
Activated ultrasonic file
Figure 6
Figure 6
Breakage of apical constriction
Figure 7
Figure 7
Placement of MTA under microscope. MTA: Mineral trioxide aggregate
Figure 8
Figure 8
Packed MTA under microscope. MTA: Mineral trioxide aggregate
Figure 9
Figure 9
Radiograph of packed MTA in apical 5 mm of the canal
Figure 10
Figure 10
Obturation by apical 5 mm thermoplasticized GP. GP: Gutta-percha
Figure 11
Figure 11
Immediate postoperative radiograph after obturation
Figure 12
Figure 12
Radiograph after 1 year with metal-ceramic restoration
Figure 13
Figure 13
Preoperative radiograph
Figure 14
Figure 14
Shaped canal orifice
Figure 15
Figure 15
W/L radiograph obturation by thermafil
Figure 16
Figure 16
Postobturation radiograph thermoplasticized GP. GP: Gutta-percha
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Jafarzadeh H, Wu YN. The C-shaped root canal configuration: A review. J Endod. 2007;33:517–23. - PubMed
    1. Cooke HG, 3rd, Cox FL. C-shaped canal configurations in mandibular molars. J Am Dent Assoc. 1979;99:836–9. - PubMed
    1. Cohen S, Hargreaves KM. Pathways of the Pulp. 9th ed. Mosby Elsevier; 2006. pp. 227–28.
    1. Manning SA. Root canal anatomy of mandibular second molars. Part II. C-shaped canals. Int Endod J. 1990;23:40–5. - PubMed
    1. Fan B, Cheung GS, Fan M, Gutmann JL, Bian Z. C-shaped canal system in mandibular second molars: Part I –Anatomical features. J Endod. 2004;30:899–903. - PubMed

Publication types