Fig. 1

A 26-year-old male patient reported to our hospital with severe pain and tenderness in tooth number 16 with a history of RCT two years back.

The tooth was tender on percussion and had a porcelain fused to metal crown prosthesis cemented on it.

Radiographic evaluation revealed the following-

1.Short obturation in palatal, disto buccal and mesio buccal canals.
2.The root form of palatal and offcentered radio-opaque obturation material in palatal indicated of a potential split in palatal canal.
3.Chances of a missed MB2.
The crown was cut and removed and then re-rct was initiated for this tooth.
Fig. 2

After removal of fixed prosthesis, rubber dam isolation was done, old restorative material was removed, access cavity was modified and refined under magnification, using a dental operating microscope.

Fig. 3

Old obturation material was removed from the canal using a combination of manual and rotary files.

Fig. 4

Palatal canal was scouted and a bifurcation could be negotiated. This deep split was negotiated using 8k and 10k files. More scouting was attempted to look for a trifurcation of the palatal canal. A third split could not be negotiated with files. MB2 was also found and negotiated with K files first. The mesiobuccal canals had separate portals of exit.

Followed by this, coronal flaring was done with one flare file (micro-mega) for MB2.

Glidepath was achieved with one G files (from Micro-mega).

Shaping of all the canals was done with 2 shape file (Micro-mega).

Fig. 5

Irrigation protocol-

Throughout shaping, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite was used after each file. Side vented 30 gauge needles were used for irrigation.

After shaping, the following protocol in each canal, was used for irrigation and activation of irrigants-

1)17% EDTA – 1ml per canal – ultrasonic activation.

2)Distilled water used to flush the canals.

3)5.25 % sodium hypochlorite -ultrasonic activation. (4 such cycles repeated per canal)

4)Distilled water.

Fig. 6

Cone fit intra oral radiograph was madeand necessary adjustments were done to the gutta percha cones.

Fig. 7

Canals were obturated with warm vertical compaction technique using EQ-V (Meta biomed). Sealer used was Ah plus (Dentsply Maillefer). A trifurcation was revealed upon downpacking in the palatal canal.

Fig. 8

Obturated apical third of palatal canal could be visualised well under a dental operating microscope and the palatal split could be appreciated under 25X magnification.

Fig. 9

Immediate post operative radiograph showed obturation of the root canal system of tooth number 16.

Fig. 10

The canal orifices of both the mesiobuccal canals, distobuccal and palatal can be appreciated in the post obturation clinical image captured under magnification, using a dental operating microscope.

Fig. 11

Post endodontic restoration was done using warmed composite.

The trifurcation in the apical third of palatal canal as well as two mesio-buccal canals with independent portals of exits could be appreciated. Radiographically on the immediate post-op and post restorative radiographs.

Fig. 12

A full coverage zirconium crown was placed during the prosthetic phase for this tooth.

Fig. 13

Patient reported for a follow up after 2 years. The tooth was asymptomatic and functional clinically.

Radigraphically, also the tooth was showed healing.

Conclusions

A sound knowledge of root canal anatomy is important for success of endodontic treatment. Also, having a fair idea about the variations in that anatomy proves to be helpful in successfully treating a tooth. During preoperative clinical examination, paying attention to the size and form of the the tooth, could sometimes provide indication of an aberrant anatomy. During radiographic examination, a clinician should study the root form and shape and also the number of roots evident on the radiograph for gaining proper knowledge about the tooth to be treated.

Using magnification, good source of illumination for observation of anatomical land marks in the pulp chamber and walking the DG-16 probe to find a catch, may be helpful in locating additional canals.

In this case of retreatment, the presence of split in palatal canal was suspected due to the shape of the root in the apical area and also due to the off centric presence of radio-opaque obturation material seen in pre-operative radiograph.

Also, determining the correct working length of each canal is a very important step in a root canal treatment. Thorough cleaning, shaping and then a three dimensional obturation of canals till the exact working length, plays a vital role in a good prognosis of a tooth being endodontically treated.

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