Diagnosis and Treatment of Three-Rooted Maxillary Premolars

Abstract

Anatomical variations must be considered in clinical and radiographical evaluations during endodontic treatment. Access cavity modifications may be required for stress free entry to complex anatomy. Higher magnification and illumination can be useful for access cavity preparation and to recognize and locate additional canals. This article describes the diagnosis and clinical management of two clinical cases of three rooted maxillary premolars.

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of three-canalled maxillary premolars has been observed as 5 to 6% for first premolars^1,2 and 1% for second premolars.³ Vertucci and Gegauff¹ found 5% of 400 maxillary first premolars to have three canals: 0.5% existed as three canals in a single root, 0.5% existed as two canals in one root and one canal in a second root, and 4% existed as one canal in each of three separate roots. Carns and Skidmore² found 6 of 100 maxillary first premolars to have three canals, all of which existed as one canal in each of three roots. Vertucci et al³ found 2 of 200 maxillary second premolars to contain three canals.

Visualization of three-canalled maxillary premolars on preoperative radiographs can often be difficult. The earlier these complex root canal configurations are anticipated, the more likely one can properly manage intracanal preparation and filling procedures.

An awareness of root canal morphology and careful interpretation of preoperative radiographs is necessary for success in endodontic therapy. However, radiographs are two-dimensional images of a three-dimensional object. The clinician must be aware of these limitations during radiographic interpretation.^4,5

Studies with various findings have been reported on the root canal types of maxillary first and second premolars.^6–9 Maxillary premolars with three root canals were sometimes called small molars or ‘radiculous’ because of their similar anatomy to that of adjacent maxillary molars.^10,11 In straight-on radiographs of maxillary premolars, Sieraski et al¹² found that whenever the mesio-distal width of the mid-root image was equal to or greater than the mesio-distal width of the crown, the tooth most likely had three roots. Based on this information we diagnosed and proceeded with root canal treatment of two patients with three-canalled and three-rooted maxillary first and second premolars.

The use of the operation microscope by endodontists in United States increased from 52% in 1999 to 90% in 2007. The operation microscope was used most frequently for root-end inspection, locating canal orifices, and root-end filling, respectively.¹³ The operating microscope appears to significantly increase the detection rate of second mesiobuccal canal in maxillary molars.^14–16

CASE REPORT 1

A 24 year old male patient with a non-contributory medical history appealed the emergency clinic of University of Gazi Faculty of Dentistry Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics. He had a history of spontaneous pain. Clinically there was a deep amalgam restoration at the distal surface in the tooth 14. The tooth was sensitive to cold and electronic pulp testing with responses indicating irreversible pulp damage. A preoperative periapical radiograph confirmed the presence of a carious lesion on the distal surface of maxillary first premolar (Figure 1). In the middle-third of the root a great mesio-distal width associated with complex root morphology was observed. The periapical radiograph of the opposite side had a similar anatomical conformation (Figure 2). The periapical region appeared radiographically normal. The tooth was isolated and access cavity was modified with a cut at the bucco-proximo angle from the entrance of the buccal canals to the cavo-surface angle resulting in a cavity with a T-shaped outline. Mesiobuccal and distobuccal canals were explored with size 10 K file (Zipperer, Germany) and the palatal with a size 15 K file. The working length was established with apex locator (Root ZX, Morita, USA) and confirmed radiographically for each root (Figure 3). Coronal flaring was carried out with Gates Glidden (Densply Maillefer, Switzerland) burs, sizes 50, 70 and 90. The remaining root canal system was prepared with K-files with copious irrigation using 2.5% sodium hypochloride solution. The master apical file in all canals was an ISO size 40. The canals were dried with paper points and obturated by laterally condensed gutta percha (Roeko, Germany) and AH 26 (Densply, Germany) root canal sealer (Figure 4). The treatment was completed in a single appointment.

Figure 1.

Periapical radiograph, showing the complex root morphology of the premolar suggesting the existence of three root canals.

Figure 2.

Periapical radiograph of the opposite side showing a similar anatomical conformation.

Figure 3.

Radiographical confirmation of three root canals and determination of the working lengths.

Figure 4.

Periapical radiograph after obturation of the three root canals.

CASE REPORT 2

A 32 year old male patient with a non-contributory medical history referred by Prosthodontics Department after removal of his bridge for endodontic treatment of his tooth 24. He had a history of spontaneous pain. Clinically the pulp was exposed by carious lesion. No swelling or fistula was present. There was no evidence of periapical radiolucency. The tooth was isolated and access cavity was modified with a cut at the bucco-proximo angle from the entrance of the buccal canals to the cavo-surface angle resulting in a cavity with a T-shaped outline as described by Balleri et al¹⁷ (Figure 5). Access cavity was prepared and the floor of the pulp chamber was examined with an operating microscope at X8 (Moller-Wedel, Dento 300, Germany). Magnification revealed 3 orifices. After removing the coronal part, the buccal canals were explored with size 10 K file and the palatal with a size 15 K file resulting in clinical and radiographic confirmation of three canals suggested by the initial radiographic exam. The working lengths were estimated using an apex locator and then confirmed with a radiograph (Figure 6). Coronal flaring was carried out with Gates Glidden burs, sizes 50, 70 and 90. The remaining root canal system was prepared with K-files with copious irrigation using 2.5% sodium hypochloride solution. The master apical file in all canals was an ISO size 40. The canals were dried with paper points and obturated by laterally condensed gutta percha and AH 26 root canal sealer (Figure 7). The treatment was completed in a single appointment.

Figure 5.

A picture of access cavity showing the triangular settlement of the three canal orifices.

Figure 6.

Radiographical confirmation of three root canals and determination of the working lengths.

Figure 7.

Periapical radiograph after obturation of the three root canals.

DISCUSSION

The possible anatomic configurations of maxillary premolars are well documented in the literature. High quality preoperative radiographs and their careful examination are essential for the detection of additional root canals.^18–20 Walton²¹ recommended the use of two diagnostic radiographs. If a radiograph shows a sudden narrowing or even a disappearing pulp space, the canal diverges at that point into two parts that may either remain separate or merge before reaching the apex.²² If an eccentric orifice found, at least one more canal is present and should be searched for on the opposite side.1 A third canal should be suspected clinically when the pulp chamber does not appear to be aligned in its expected bucco-palatal relationship. Additionally, if the pulp chamber appears to deviate from normal configuration and seems to be either triangular in shape or too large in a mesiodistal plane, more than one root canal should be suspected.²³ Pulp cavity of each tooth shows high variability that makes the endodontic treatment unique. In three rooted maxillary premolars, the buccal orifices are close to each other that are hard to locate.

When confronted with unusual tooth anatomy as three rooted maxillary premolars, good illumination and magnification can make treatment easier. With the aid of an operating microscope or loop it is possible to locate all the root canal orifices. Carr²⁴ affirms that the operating microscope has greatly improved the ability of the endodontist to visualize and treat periapical pathology in endodontic surgery. It has also enhanced the practice of nonsurgical endodontics. The higher magnification and illumination can be useful for access cavity preparation, instrumentation and obturation. It can improve the clinician’s view of the complexity of the root canal anatomy and aid in the location of additional canals.²⁵

The outline of the access cavity was shaped by a cut at the bucco-proximal angle from the entrance of the buccal canals to the cavo-surface angle, as suggested by Balleri et al.¹⁷ This T-shaped access outline is helpful for correctly reaching all of the root canals.

An apex locator was used to estimate the working lengths prior to establishing a working length estimation radiograph. The use of an apex locator improves the chances of estimating the correct length first time, especially when canals are likely to be superimposed on a radiograph.

CONCLUSIONS

Morphological variations in pulpal anatomy must be always considered before beginning treatment. Careful clinical and radiographical examination is essential for successful endodontic treatment. Use of an operating microscope or loop can enhance the visualization of the pulp chamber and extra canal orifices.