title: Root canal treatment of a maxillary first premolar with three roots.
abstract: Successful root canal treatment needs a thorough knowledge of both internal and external anatomy of a tooth. Variations in root canal anatomy constitute an impressive challenge to the successful completion of endodontic treatment. Undetected extra roots and canals are a major reason for failed root canal treatment. Three separate roots in a maxillary first premolar have a very low incidence of 0.5-6%. Three rooted premolars are anatomically similar to molars and are sometimes called "small molars or radiculous molars." This article explains the diagnosis and endodontic management of a three rooted maxillary premolar with separate canals in each root highlighting that statistics may indicate a low incidence of abnormal variations in root canal morphology of a tooth, but aberrant anatomy is a possibility in any tooth. Hence, modern diagnostics like cone beam computed tomography, and endodontic operating microscope may have to be used more for predictable endodontic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Pushpagiri College of Dental Sciences, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Josey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Pushpagiri College of Dental Sciences, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Aravindan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Devadathan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics, Pushpagiri College of Dental Sciences, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Gibi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Syriac
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Madha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Sai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shamini
keywords: Maxillary first premolars; radiculous molars; root canal treatment; three canalled premolars