Prevalence and Configuration of the Second Mesiobuccal Canal in the Permanent Maxillary First Molar in Jordanian Population Sample.

Introduction: Missing a root canal during endodontic treatment implicates the persistence of microbial infection within the root canal system. This study aims to evaluate the incidence and morphology of the second mesiobuccal canal in the maxillary first molars in the Jordanian population. Methods and Materials: Consecutive cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans taken at Jordan University Hospital were assessed in this retrospective study. A total of 200 scans that were examined, 111 were included in this study. The scans that were included had to have a full view of the maxilla with at least one permanent maxillary first molar. The following data were collected: the presence of a second mesiobuccal canal, the configuration of the mesiobuccal canals, the status of the apical area and the mesiobuccal inter-orifice distance, if applicable. The prevalence and morphology of the second mesiobuccal canal was determined and its association with biological sex and right or left sidedness was measured using the Chi-Square test. Results: The prevalence of the second mesiobuccal canal in our sample of the Jordanian population was 87%, with the most common canal configuration being Vertucci type II. The average inter-orifice distance between first and second mesiobuccal canals was 1.9 ± 0.4 mm. Conclusion: This retrospective study is the first in Jordan to document the prevalence of the second mesiobuccal canal using CBCT, and it shows that the vast majority of teeth have a second mesiobuccal canal. The proper location and negotiation of this canal is of dire importance for endodontic therapy.

Outcome of endodontic treatment of teeth filled using lateral condensation versus vertical compaction (Schilder's technique).

The purpose of this prospective clinical and radiographic investigation was to assess the treatment results following endodontic therapy of teeth filled with lateral condensation versus teeth filled with vertical compaction of warm gutta-percha. A total of 290 patients were treated using the standardized step-back technique for canal preparation, which were filled with either lateral condensation or vertical compaction in one single session. Five years later, the treatment results were assessed clinically and radiographically and related to the type of the obturation technique using Chi-square analysis. Of the 340 teeth that were reexamined, 160 teeth were filled with lateral condensation, and 180 teeth were filled with vertical condensation. The results showed a significantly higher success rate for the vertical compaction versus the lateral condensation technique of teeth presented with preoperative periapical lesions P<0.04. Regardless of the preoperative periapical status of the teeth, no statistically significant difference was found between the two techniques. The overall success rate of both filling techniques was 80.3%.

A radiographic study of the relationship between technical quality of coronoradicular posts and periapical status in a Jordanian population.

A radiographic study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the technical quality of coronoradicular posts and periapical status. A total of 400 periapical radiographs, including 560 posts, of patients attending the Dental Department at Jordan University Hospital were scanned and studied. It was found that maxillary teeth were more frequently restored with posts (65.36%) than mandibular teeth (34.64%). Tapered posts accounted for 73.93% of the posts used. The ratio of the mean post length to crown length was 0.8, and that to root length was 0.45. The mean length of the remaining gutta percha apical to the end of the post was 6.22 mm. In addition, 25% of the posts deviated from the line of the root canal. Periapical radiolucency was evident in 53.93% of the assessed teeth. It is concluded that inadequate root canal treatment and coronoradicular posts are associated with increased prevalence of periapical radiolucency, and that general dental practitioners should be better trained in performing endodontic treatment and restoring endodontically treated teeth.

Severe external root resorption arrested by conventional endodontic treatment.

A case is presented of inflammatory external root resorption detected on radiographic examination. Conventional endodontic treatment, including calcium hydroxide dressing for two weeks and obturation of the root canal system using the vertical compaction of warm gutta-percha technique was a simple and effective treatment modality for arresting the resorptive process and maintaining the integrity of the patient dentition.

Management of endodontic failures: case selection and treatment modalities.

General dentists should realize that endodontic failures can be retreated successfully, avoiding tooth loss. Retreatment of endodontic failure and initial root canal therapy share similar biologic principles and treatment objectives. The criteria for successful root canal therapy are important factors that must be understood before teeth are retreated. This article demonstrates three retreatment modalities for managing endodontic failures as an alternative to tooth extraction.

The healing potential of periodontal-endodontic lesions.

Osseous lesions involving the periodontium, and which are sometimes associated with discomfort and pathologic changes such as swelling or the development of a sinus tract, are not always due to periodontal disease. Thus, it is not uncommon to find a dentition with generally good periodontal health but with one tooth having a severe isolated bony periodontal defect. In other cases, periodontal treatment may result in a general improvement, except in relation to one tooth which does not respond to the therapy. Very often these cases are instances of combined periodontal-endodontic lesions, but which are solely of pulpal origin. This paper serves to help the dental practitioner recognise the disease process underlying the condition and appreciate its effective management with non-surgical root canal treatment.