Radix entomolaris- a case series

Fig. 1

The incidence and prevalence of RE varies in different ethnic groups.

RE is known to be a dominant genetic trait in pure Eskimo and Eskimo/Caucasian mixes and due to its high incidence in these populations, the RE is considered to be a normal morphological variant

Fig. 2

Carlsen and Alexanderson classification based on the location of the cervical part of the RE: (4)

Fig. 3

De Moor et al. classification based on the curvature in buccolingual orientation. (5)

Fig. 4

Song et al. 2010 classification based on morphologic features in general Korean population. (6)

Fig. 5

23 year old female patient reported with complain of spontaneous, nocturnal pain and pain on biting in tooth 46. 

Diagnosis (after pulp sensibility testing): symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with symptomatic apical periodontitis. 

Angled pre-operative radiograph revealed RE. 

Access opening was extended disto-lingually to reveal the orifice of RE. 

4 canals present – MB, ML, DB, DL/RE. 

Initial canal negotiation was done with no. 6 K file (Mani) till resistance, with gentle watch winding motion, followed by filing till working length with No.6,8, 10 K files. 

Glide path was established by Path files (Dentsply Mallifer) and One G file (Micro Mega). 

Canals were shaped with 4% Hero Gold files (Micro Mega). Restricted shaping with less tapered files was considered given the acute curvature of the canals. 

Irrigation was done with 5.25% NaOCl intermittently and as final rinse alternated with 17% EDTA. 

Obturation was done using single cone technique with 4% GP cones and AH plus sealer. 

Case was done using Labomed Prima microscope.

Fig. 6

54 year old female patient reported with throbbing pain and pain on percussion under deep amalgam restorations in teeth 35, 36. 

Diagnosis (after pulp sensibility testing): pulp necrosis in 35, 36. 

Angled pre-operative radiograph revealed RE in 36. 

Access opening was extended in disto-lingual direction to reveal RE. 

4 canals present – MB, ML, DB, DL/RE.  

Pulp stone was removed with ultrasonic tips and calcified mesial canals were initially negotiated with 6,8,10 K files progressively till WL. 

Glide path was established using One G file (Micro Mega). 

Canals were shaped with 4% Hero Gold files (Micro Mega). Irrigation was done with 5.25% NaOCl intermittently and as final rinse alternated with 17% EDTA. 

Obturation was done with single cone technique using 4% GP cones and Ceraseal bioceramic sealer (Meta Biomed). 

Case was done using Labomed Prima microscope.

Fig. 7

28 year old female patient reported with spontaneous, nocturnal pain and pain on biting in tooth 47. 

Diagnosis (after pulp sensibility testing): symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. 

Angled pre-operative radiograph revealed RE. 

4 canals present – MB, ML, DB, DL/RE. 

Canals were negotiated with 8,10 K files progressively till WL. Canals were shaped with 4% Hero Gold files (Micro Mega). Irrigation was done with 5.25% NaOCl intermittently and as final rinse alternated with 17% EDTA.  

Obturation was done using single cone technique using 4% GP cones and Ceraseal bioceramic sealer (Meta Biomed). 

Case was done using Labomed Prima microscope.

Existence of three rooted mandibular molars is a rarity. According to Manning, only 2% of mandibular second molars showed three roots.(7)

Fig. 8

25 year old female patient reported with intermittent pain due to secondary decay under composite restoration.

Diagnosis (after pulp sensibility testing): symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. 

Angled pre-operative radiograph revealed 4 distinct root outlines suggestive of RE and RP. 

Clinically access opening needed to be extended distolingually to reveal RE. 

4 canals located– MB/RP, ML, DB, DL/RE with independent portals of exit. 

Shaping was done with 6% Hero Gold files (Micro Mega). 

Irrigation was done with 5.25% NaOCl intermittently and as final rinse alternated with 17% EDTA. 

Obturation was done with single cone technique using 6% GP cones and Ceraseal bioceramic sealer (Meta Biomed). 

Case was done using Labomed Prima microscope.

The incidence of four-root configuration is only 0.04% in the mandibular first molars. (8)

Fig. 9

Endodontic failure would be inevitable if extra roots haven’t been accurately diagnosed and treated. Overlapping or unclear root outlines in a straight pre-operative radiograph can hint towards the presence of RM since RE and RP lie in the same bucco-lingual plane as their respective distal and mesial counter-parts, respectively. An angulated radiograph at 30 degrees can separate these overlapping root outlines and can reveal the extra root following buccal object rule or Clark’s rule, the same lingual, opposite buccal (SLOB rule). (9) CBCT aids in visualising 3-dimensional root canal anatomy and thus would provide an exact spatial orientation of the orifice and root canal. 

Clinically, complete de-roofing of the pulp chamber, extension of the conventional triangular access to a more rectangular or trapezoidal outline form to gain straight line access and examination of the floor of the pulp chamber to assess the dentinal map are primary requisites in locating RE orifice. The radix roots being short and more curved, their canals should be instrumented with lesser taper files under caution to prevent iatrogenic complications. (3)

Magnification devices such as dental operating microscope and loupes become indispensable in allowing the clinician to operate seamlessly in cases with such abnormal morphology.