Endodontic and prosthetic treatment of teeth with C-shaped root canals.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to describe and discuss the unusual anatomy that can be detected during routine endodontic and prosthetic treatment of mandibular second molars.

Material And Methods: We studied 2 mandibular second molars with C-shaped canals in two patients who underwent endodontic and prosthetic treatment. In one patient, the preoperative radiograph of mandibular right second molar indicated radicular fusion with single apex and two canals. However, four separate canals were disclosed during endodontic treatment. There were no complications during cleaning, shaping, and obturation of the canals. In the second patient, prosthetic restoration of the mandibular left second molar after root canal treatment was necessary. The radiograph showed radicular fusion with one wide central canal correctly obturated. The tooth was prepared without difficulty or complications for the cast post and crown.

Results: Endodontic treatment in the first patient was successful as confirmed with the postoperative radiograph showing precisely obturated canals. The cast post performed in the second patient enabled effective tooth reconstruction with a prosthetic crown.

Conclusions: C-shaped canals may be precisely debrided and obturated on condition that they have been disclosed on preoperative radiographs. Prosthetic reconstruction of these teeth with a post-crown is possible but only with the use of the distal canal.