Endodontic treatment of maxillary first molars presenting with unusual asymmetric palatal root morphology using spiral computerized tomography: a case report

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2010 Jan;109(1):e55-9. doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2009.08.040.

Abstract

Variations in root number and canal morphology are challenges for successful endodontic therapy. This report describes 2 endodontically managed maxillary first molars with asymmetric presentation of unusual palatal root morphology. These included the left maxillary first molar with a single palatal root and 2 palatal canals and the right maxillary first molar with 2 separate palatal roots with 1 canal in each root. An accurate diagnosis was confirmed with the help of spiral computerized tomography. This case report discusses this asymmetric variation in the palatal root morphology and highlights the value of spiral computerized tomography in diagnosis of such unusual cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dental Pulp Cavity / anatomy & histology*
  • Dental Pulp Cavity / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Maxilla
  • Molar / diagnostic imaging*
  • Periapical Periodontitis / therapy
  • Pulpitis / therapy
  • Radiography, Dental / methods*
  • Root Canal Preparation / instrumentation
  • Tomography, Spiral Computed
  • Tooth Root / diagnostic imaging*