title: Endodontic treatment of the mandibular first molar with six roots canals - two case reports and literature review.
abstract: The most common configuration of the mandibular first molar is the presence of two roots and three root canals. The objective of this work is to present two rare anatomic configurations with six root canals on two mandibular left first molars diagnosed during endodontic therapy. Root canal therapy was performed using a dental operating microscope. Ultrasonic troughing in the grooves in between the mesial root canals and in between the distal root canals was able to show the middle root canals. Large samples population characterization researches and systematic reviews were unable to detect a single case of six root canals configuration in a mandibular first molar in their investigations. Although it is a rare configuration, a six root canal configuration is possible to be found in the mandibular first molar. Three different pulp chamber configurations are possible to be found. Two or three roots may be present and the root configuration more common in the mesial root is the Type 8 and Type 12 for the distal root. Some concepts about the required technique to approach these cases are also debated.
authors.affiliation: Doctor of Dental Surgery, University of Lisbon (POR), Inter PG Endodontics at New York University (USA), Certified member of European Society of Endodontology, Department of Endodontics of Instituto de Implantologia , Lisbon (POR) .
authors.forename: Jorge N R
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of Mississippi (USA), Endodontic Certificate at New York University (USA), Member of American Association of Endodontics, Private Practice , Biloxi Mississippi (USA) .
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Anderson
keywords: Endodontic therapy; Molar; Root canal anatomy; Root canal preparation