Morphologic analysis of C-shaped root using 3-D reconstruction

Article information

Restor Dent Endod. 2002;27(4):421-431
Publication date (electronic) : 2002 July 31
doi : https://doi.org/10.5395/JKACD.2002.27.4.421
Department of Conservative Dentistry College of Dentistry, Dankook University, Korea.

Abstract

C-shaped canal configuration is very difficult to treat because that clues about preoperative canal anatomy cannot be ascertained from clinical crown morphology and limited information can be derived from radiographic examination.

This study was done to get more informations about the root and canal configuration of C-shape root by 3-dimensionally reconstructing for the purpose of enhancing success rate of endodontic treatment.

30 mandibular molars with C-shaped root were selected. Six photo images from occlusal, apical, mesial, distal, buccal, lingual directions and radiographic view were taken as preoperative ones to compare them with 3-D image. After crown reduction to the level of 1-2mm over pulpal floor was performed, teeth were stored in 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution for the removal of pulp tissue and debris. They were cleaned under running water, allowed to bench dry and embedded in a self-curing resin. This resin block was serially ground with a microtome (Accutom-50, Struers, Denmark) and the image of each level was recorded by digital camera (FinePix S1-pro, Fuji Co., Japan). The thickness of each section was 0.25mm. Photographs of serial sections through all root canal were digitized using Adobe Photoshop 5.0 and then minimum thickness of open and closed sites were measured (open site is the surface containing occluso-apical groove : closed site is oppsite). After dizitization using 3-D Doctor (Able software Corp, USA), 3D reconstruction of the outer surface of tooth and the inner surface of pulp space was made. Canal classsification of C-shaped roots was performed from this 3-D reconstructed image.

The results were as follows:

1. Most C-shape rooted teeth showed lingual groove (28/30).

2. According to Vertuccis'calssification, type I, II, III, IV, VII were observed, but also new canal types such as 2-3-2, 1-2-3-2, 2-3-2-1, 2-3-2-3 were shown.

3. There was little difference in minimum thickness on coronal and apical portions, but open site were thinner than closed site on mid portion.

Conclusively, 3D reconstruction method could make the exact configurations of C-shape root possible to be visualized and analyzed from multi-directions. Data from minimum thickness recommend cleaning and shaping be more carefully done on dangerous mid portion.

References

1. Cooke HG, Cox FL. C-shaped canal configurations in mandibular molars. J Am Dent Assoc 1979. 99(5)836–839.
crossref crossref
2. Manning SA. Root canal anatomy of mandibular second molars. Part II. C-shaped canals. Int Endod J 1990. 2340–45.
crossref
3. Weine FS. Endodontic theraphy 1996. fifth editionth ed. Mosby Year-Book; 289.
4. Haddad GY, Nehme WB, Ounsi HF. Diagnosis, classification, and frequency of C-shaped canals in mandibular second molars in the Lebanese opulation. J Endod 1999. 25268–271.
crossref
5. Yang ZP, Yang SF, Lin YC, Shay JC, Chi CY. C-shaped root canals in mandibular second molars in a Chinese population. Endod Dent Traumatol 1988. 4160–163.
crossref crossref
6. Weine FS, Pasiewicz RA, Rice RT. Canal Configuration of the Mandibular Seccond Molar Using a Clinically Oriented In Vitro Method. J Endod 1988. 14207–213.
crossref
7. Weine FS, Healey HJ, Gerstein H, Evanson L. Canal configuration in the mesiobuccal root of maxillary first molar and its endodontic significance. Oral Surg 1969. 28419–425.
crossref
8. Seidberg BH, Altman M, Guttuso J, Surson M. Frequency of two mesiobuccal root canals in maxillary permanent first molar. J Am Dent Assoc 1973. 87852–856.
crossref
9. Weine FS. The C-shaped mandibular second molar : incidence and other considerations. Members of the Arizona Endodontic Association. J Endod 1998. 24372–375.
crossref
10. Melton DC, Krell KV, Fuller MW. Anatomical and histological features of C-shaped canals in mandibular second molars. J Endod 1991. 17384–388.
crossref crossref
11. Manning SA. Root canal anatomy of mandibular second molars. Part I. C-shaped canals. Int Endod J 1990. 2334–39.
crossref
12. Manning SA. Root canal anatomy of mandibular second molars. Part II. C-shaped canals. Int Endod J 1990. 2340–45.
crossref
13. Blaskovic-Subat V, Smojver B, Maricic B, Sutalo J. A computerized method for the evaluation of root canal morphology. Int Endod J 1995. 28290–296.
crossref crossref
14. Lyroudia K, Samakovitis G, Pitas I, Lambrianidis T, Molyvdas I, Mikrogeorgis G. 3D reconstruction of two C-shape mandibular molars. J Endod 1997. 23101–104.
crossref crossref
15. Lyroudia K, Mikrogeorgis G, Nikopoulos N, Samakovitis G, Molyvdas I, Pitas I. Computerized 3-D reconstruction of two "double teeth". Endod Dent Traumatol 1997. 13218–222.
crossref crossref
16. Vertucci FJ. Root canal anatomy of the human permanent teeth. Oral Surg 1984. 58589–599.
crossref crossref
17. Rice RT, Gilbert BO. An unusual canal configuration in a mandibular first molar. J Endod 1987. 13515.
crossref crossref
18. Tamse A, Kaffe I. Radiographic survey of the prevalence of conical lower second molar. Int Endod J 1981. 09. 14(3)188–190.
crossref crossref
19. Bolger WL, Schindler WG. A mandibular first molar with a C-shaped root configuration. J Endod 1988. 14515–519.
crossref crossref
20. Newton CW, McDonald S. A C-shaped canal configuration in a maxillary first molar. J Endod 1984. 10397–399.
crossref crossref
21. Ricucci D, Pascon EA, Langeland K. Long-term follow-up on C-shaped mandibular molars. J Endod 1996. 22185–187.
crossref crossref
22. Pineda F, Kuttler Y. Mesiodistal and buccolingual roentgenographic investigation of 7,275 root canals. Oral Surg 1972. 33101–110.
crossref crossref
23. Carlsen O. Root complex and root canal system: a correlation analysis using one-rooted mandibular second molars. Scand J Dent Res 1990. 98273–285.
crossref crossref
24. Kotoku K. Morphological studies on the roots of the Japanese mandibular second molars. Shikwa Gakuho 1985. 8543–64.
crossref
25. Walker RT. The root canal anatomy of mandibulars in a Southern Chinese population. J Endod 1988. 14325–329.
crossref
26. Jerome CE. C-shaped root canal systems: diagnosis, treatment, and restoration. Gen Dent 1994. 42424–427.
crossref
27. Gulabivala K, Aung TH, Alavi A, Ng YL. Root and canal morphology of Burmese mandibular molars. Int Endod J 2001. 34359–370.
crossref crossref crossref
28. Sidow SJ, West LA, Liewehr FR, Loushine RJ. Root canal morphology of human maxillary and mandibular third molar. J Endod 2000. 26675–678.
crossref
29. Hess W, Zeushcer E. The anatomy of the root canals of the teeth of permanent dentition 1925. London: John Bale, Sons and Danielsson; 32–34.
30. Lyroudia K, Nikolaidis N, Pitas I, Zervas P, Palakidis K. Computerized three-dimensional reconstruction: a method to study pulpal vessels and nerves. J Endod 1993. 19604–608.
crossref crossref
31. Skidmore AE, Bjorndal AM. Root canal morphology of the human mandibular first molar. Oral Surg 1971. 32778–784.
crossref crossref
32. Lyroudia K, Nikolaidis N, Pitas I, Palakidis K. Three computer methods to reconstruct pulpal blood vessels and nerves. J Endod 1995. 21501–504.
crossref crossref
33. Lyroudia K, Palakidis K, Manthos A, Nikolaidis N, Pitas I, Foroglou C. Computerized reconstruction of TEM examined pulpal blood vessels and nerves. Endod Dent Traumatol 1995. 11189–195.
crossref crossref
34. Weine FS. Endodontic theraphy on the mandibular second molar: easiest to treat of the difficult,molar teeth. Compendium 1994. 151130–1628.
crossref
35. Liewehr FR, Kulild JC, Primack PD. Obturation of a C-shaped canal using an improved method of warm lateral condensation. J Endod 1993. 19474–477.
crossref crossref
36. Walid N. The use of two pluggers for the obturatuion of an uncommon C-shaped canal. J Endod 2000. 26422–424.
crossref
37. Marshak B, Helft M, Pilo R. Factors mitigating against the use of dowels in endodontically treated teeth. Quintessence Int 1988. 19417–420.
crossref
38. Bolger WL, Schindler WG. A mandibular first molar with a C-shaped root configuration. J Endod 1988. 14515–519.
crossref crossref
39. Bjorndal L, Carlsen O, Thuesen G, Darvann T, Kreiborg S. External and internal macromorphology in 3D-reconstructed maxillary molars using computerized X-ray microtomography. Int Endod J 1999. 323–9.
crossref crossref
40. Peters OA, Laib A, Ruegsegger P, Barbakow F. Three-dimensional analysis of root canal geometry by high-resolution computed tomography. J Dent Res 2000. 791405–1409.
crossref crossref crossref

Article information Continued

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

Fig. 9

Fig. 10

Fig. 11

Fig. 12

Fig. 13

Fig. 14

Fig. 15

Fig. 16

Fig. 17

Fig. 18

Fig. 19

Fig. 20

Fig. 21

Fig. 22

Fig. 23

Table 1

Table 1

*New type : 2-3-2, 1-2-3-2, 2-3-2-1, 2-3-2-3,