title: Morphologic variations in mandibular premolars: a report of three cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report cases with morphologic variations in mandibular premolars.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Mandibular premolars have earned the reputation for having aberrant anatomy. The occurrence of three canals with three separate (type V, Vertucci) foramina in mandibular premolars is very rare. In this report, three cases are presented involving the root canal treatment of mandibular premolars with three different root and canal configurations. The present report also emphasizes the use of the dental operating microscope to enhance visualization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Correlation between radiographic findings, use of dental operating microscope and knowledge of aberrant anatomy helps to identify, locate and treat the aberrant anatomy of the tooth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The treatment was successful as all canals were identified and filled and also as evidenced by relief of symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Success is largely dependent on the use of magnification, which aided in identifying the location of the three individual root canal orifices; thus emphasizing the need to familiarize ourselves with dental microscopy, to obtain maximal anatomic information in endodontic practice.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics Modern Dental College and Research Centre, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, e-mail: dranuj_84@yahoo.co.in.
authors.forename: Anuj
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhardwaj
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Mar Baselios Dental College, Kothamangalam, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Jojo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kottoor
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Terna Dental College, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Denzil Valerian
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Albequerque
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics Meenakshi Ammal Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Natanasabapathy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Velmurugan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D063405:Anatomic Variation; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult