Detectability of Middle Mesial Canal in Mandibular Molar After Troughing Using Ultrasonics and Magnification: An Ex Vivo Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of the identification of middle mesial (MM) canals in extracted permanent first and second mandibular molars before and after executing a troughing technique with high magnification. Sample consisted of 105 mandibular molars. After gaining access to the pulp chamber and cleaning the chamber floor, root canals were detected in three different stages. The initial location was performed under direct viewing without magnification. In the second stage, a dental operating microscope was employed at 12 magnification. If the MM canal was not observed, a standardized troughing technique was executed with the use of an ultrasonic tip between the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals under magnification. Statistical differences in the frequency of MM canals before and after troughing were determined using McNemar’s test, with the significance level set at 5%. No significant increase in the identification of the MM canal was found when comparing observations before (9.52%) and after (12.38%) the troughing technique under high magnification. However, viewing under magnification and the execution of troughing significantly increased the location of the MM canal (12.38%) when compared to viewing without magnification (3.81%) (p<0.01). The troughing technique with the aid of a dental operating microscope significantly improved the identification of MM canals compared to viewing without magnification. Troughing is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that benefits the treatment of mandibular molars.

Prevalence of root canal system configurations in the brazilian population analyzed by cone-beam computed tomography – a systematic review

“…48 It should be pointed that, although no third root canal in mandibular molars' mesial roots was documented in the present study, this configuration has been documented in ex-vivo studies with a Brazilian sample. 55,56 Furthermore, clinicians should be aware of the high prevalence of a second root canal in the distal root of mandibular first molars, which may be as high as 23.4%. 24 In the present systematic review, all studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were submitted to a critical appraisal regarding their methodology, using the JBI Critical Appraisal tool.…”

Unveiling the Enigma: A Confluence of Two Case Reports for the Negotiation of Mid-Mesial Canals

“…This case report highlights the need for eyeing supplementary canals and infrequent canal morphologies, as awareness of their presence serves as an eye-opener, enabling dental practitioners to minister endodontic procedures that otherwise might have resulted in failures. The significance of using additional aids in magnification, such as dental operating microscopes and dental loupes, as well as the utilization of enhanced imaging modalities, helps in the identification and negotiation of prevalent anomalies [ 6 ].…”

Endodontic Management of Middle Mesial Canal in Mandibular Molars: A Report of Three Cases

“…For the identification of this MMC, one must rely on multiple radiographs, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and another form of magnification aid such as magnifying loupes or dental operating microscopes in order to limit procedural errors during exploration of the third canal [7]. This paper reports three cases with different variations of MMC in the mandibular first molar.…”