Retreatment of a C-shaped maxillary second molar: case reports and literature review
Zi-ang Sun,
Yong Jiang,
Kejing Wang,
Xiaomin Fan,
Wei Wang
Affiliations
Zi-ang Sun
State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China; School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
Yong Jiang
State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
Kejing Wang
State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
Xiaomin Fan
State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
Wei Wang
State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China; Corresponding author.
The root canal systems of maxillary second molar (MSM) variations are complicated, especially the prevalence of fused roots and consequent merged and C-shaped canals, which represent a clinical challenge because canal configurations can be irregular and unpredictable. The purpose of this article was to present 2 cases with a C-shaped configuration diagnosed during root canal retreatment and perform a literature review of this MSM anatomy. Case 1 reports that two palatal root canals fused into a C-shaped configuration that finally formed an apical foramen, which was classified as Type D. Case 2 reflects the fusion of the distobuccal canal and palatal canal into a C-shaped configuration and the configuration was Type C, which was first reported in a case report. Nonsurgical retreatments were proposed and conducted. Evaluation at a 24-month recall revealed that the two patients were symptom-free, and radiographic examination revealed normal periapical tissue. This report serves to remind clinicians of the complexities of the root canal system and that possible anatomic variation should always be anticipated when formulating an effective root canal treatment plan. The use of CBCT imaging coupled with an operative dental microscope will be helpful in locating and identifying supernumerary canals when a preoperative periapical radiograph shows signs of a fused-rooted MSM.
