C-shaped maxillary permanent first molar: a case report and literature review.
BACKGROUND
The C-shaped configuration is rare in the upper first molar.The purpose of this article is to present 2 cases diagnosed during endodontic therapy and perform a literature review of this anatomy in the upper first molar.


METHODS
Endodontic therapy was performed by using a dental operating microscope and a cone-beam computed tomography analysis for better understanding of this anatomy. A literature search was conducted to identify and compare all the published cases of C-shaped upper first molar.


RESULTS
Before the cases reported in this article, only 5 cases were available in the published literature. Three different types of C-shaped configurations in the upper first molar have been presented.


CONCLUSIONS
The C-shaped maxillary first molar is a rare anatomic configuration. The use of the dental operating microscope may help in the endodontic therapy of these cases. Three types of C-shaped configurations have been reported; the fusion of the distobuccal root with the palatal root appears to be the most usual one.
Department of Endodontics, Instituto de Implantologia, Lisbon, Portugal. Electronic address: jnr_martins@yahoo.com.br.
Jorge N R
JN
Martins
Sérgio
S
Quaresma
Maria Carlos
MC
Quaresma
Jared
J
Frisbie-Teel
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D063405:Anatomic Variation; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000628:therapy; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005671:Fused Teeth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006171:Gutta-Percha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation; D008963:Molar / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010482:Periapical Abscess / Q000628:therapy; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000628:therapy; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004853:Epoxy Resins; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; C534916:epoxy resin-based root canal sealer; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite
Anatomy; C-shape; maxilla; molar