Canal configuration in the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molar and its endodontic significance

Abstract

The mesiobuccal roots of 208 teeth were sectioned buccolingually from the mesial aspect and the canal configurations were categorized. One hundred one (48.5 per cent) had a single canal, 78 (or 37.5 per cent) showed two canals which merged toward a single apical foramen, and twenty-nine (14.0 per cent) displayed two distinct canals with separate apical foramina. The frequency of occurrence of the bifurcated or double canal must be taken into consideration when surgical treatment is planned and as a possible cause of otherwise unexplained failure. Case histories are presented to illustrate these situations.