Endodontic treatment of a maxillary second premolar with three roots and three root canals

Abstract

INTRODUCTION : There are currently no documented publications on an endodontic procedure performed on a maxillary second premolar with three roots and three root canals within a South African population.

This is a rare root canal configuration (0.3%-2%), which, according to the endodontic literature, can be related to factors such as ethnicity, racial groups, and gender. Familiarity with root canal configurations within various ethnicities and racial groups is important in understanding the nature of the root canal system for successful endodontic procedures.

OBJECTIVES : The aim of this case report is to describe endodontics performed on a maxillary second premolar with three roots and three root canals, the patient being a South African female patient of African ethnicity. In addition, consideration is given to a suitable restorative option for the endodontically treated tooth.

The endodontic procedure is described in detail to inform dental practitioners. The diagnosis, location, instrumentation, and obturation of all the canals were successful. The location of the three canals required a large access cavity design that reduced the strength and support of the mineralized tissues. Therefore in this study, the preferred restoration for a maxillary second premolar with three roots and three root canals is a ceramic post crown.