Endodontic treatment of a mandibular hypertaurodontic second molar

Abstract

Taurodontism is the consequence of a developmental disorder in which the invagination of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath doesn't occur at a proper level. As a result, the pulp body and the chamber of a multi-root tooth, usually permanent molar teeth, are enlarged by the apical displacement of the pulp floor. Despite its clinically normal appearance, the morphological variation of this tooth can be diagnosed by a routine radiographic exam that shows enlarged apico-occlusal pulp chamber and short roots. Due to these anatomical variations, endodontic treatment of a taurodontic element is a clinical challenge given the complexity of localization and instrumentation of the root canal system. According to the degree of displacement of the pulp floor, taurodontism can be classified as: hypotaurodontism, mesotaurodontism and hypertaurodontism. This study objective is to report a clinical case of a patient who was submitted to endodontic treatment of the second inferior molar affected by hypertaurodontism.