title: Bilateral maxillary fused second and third molars: a rare occurrence.
abstract: This case report describes the diagnosis and endodontic therapy of maxillary fused second and third molars, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A 31-year-old Chinese male, with no contributory medical or family/social history, presented with throbbing pain in the maxillary right molar area following an unsuccessful attempted tooth extraction. Clinical examination revealed what appeared initially to be a damaged large extra cusp on the buccal aspect of the distobuccal cusp of the second molar. However, CBCT revealed that a third molar was fused to the second molar. Unexpectedly, the maxillary left third molar also was fused to the second molar, and the crown of an unerupted supernumerary fourth molar was possibly also fused to the apical root region of the second molar. Operative procedures should not be attempted without adequate radiographic investigation. CBCT allowed the precise location of the root canals of the right maxillary fused molar teeth to permit successful endodontic therapy, confirmed after 6 months.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Rui-Zhen
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Jin-Tao
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: You-Nong
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Roger J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Smales
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Jin-Hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Guang-Dong
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005671:Fused Teeth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla; D008963:Molar / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000002:abnormalities*; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000002:abnormalities; D014096:Tooth, Supernumerary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014097:Tooth, Unerupted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging