title: The retreatment of a mandibular second premolar with unusual canal anatomy.
abstract: Mandibular premolars usually have a single root and canal. Complex root canal system with atypical variations is a common finding among them. Failure to identify such a one can affect the prognosis of endodontic treatment. Apart from knowledge and sophisticated instruments, a good clinical expertise is required in identifying, tracing and treating such a root canal system. This case report is on the retreatment of a left mandibular second premolar (44) having a Vertucci's Type III canal configuration. Inability to identify this canal configuration led to a missed canal, faulty obturation and post treatment apical periodontitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry M.C.O.D.S, Manipal University, Attavar, Mangalore, India. paivivekananda@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: A E Vivekananda
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gautam
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kundabala
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D011859:Radiography; D019233:Retreatment; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017211:Treatment Failure