title: The role of cone beam computed tomography in the endodontic management of a mandibular first molar with three distal canals.
abstract: The presence of three root canals in the distal root of the mandibular first permanent molars is rare; based on in vitro studies its incidence is reported to be between 0.2% and 3%. With the advent of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) as an adjunctive diagnostic aid, the determination of root canal anatomy in teeth with extra canals and complex canal configurations has become more precise. CBCT provides three dimensional visualization of the pulp canal space, allowing the clinician in determining the spatial relationships of the root canals with each other at various cross sectional levels along the length of the root. The present report discusses the endodontic management of a mandibular first permanent molar with three canals in the distal root, employing CBCT as an adjunctive diagnostic aid to conventional radiography.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Aishvarya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaushik
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Sangeeta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Talwar
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Sarika
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chaudhary
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Ruchika Roongta
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Nawal
keywords: Cone beam computed tomography; middle distal canal; three distal canals