S-Shaped Canals: A Series of Cases Performed by Four Specialists around the World.

Ricardo Machado,Jorge Vera,Antonis Chaniottis,Luiz Pascoal Vansan,Carlos Saucedo,Emmanuel João Nogueira Leal Silva

doi:10.1155/2014/359438

Abstract

Recognition of anatomical variations is a real challenge for clinicians undertaking therapy regardless of the teeth that are to be treated. The extent of the curvature is one of the most important variables that could lead to instrument fracture. In clinical conditions, two curves can be present in the same root canal trajectory. This type of geometry is denoted as the “S” shape, and it is a challenging condition. This report describes a different clinical and educational scenario where four specialists around the world present different approaches for the treatment of root canals with double curvatures or S-shaped canals. Endodontic therapy is a very nuanced and challenging science and art. The clinical and teaching experience of the authors show different approaches that can be successfully employed to treat challenging teeth having roots with multiple curves. The necessity of precise knowledge of the root canal morphology and its variation is also underlined.

Highlights

Straight simple root canal systems are exceptions and not rules in the human dentition
Recent studies have highlighted the complexity of the root canal system [4,5,6], which can create significant endodontic treatment difficulties
The aim of this paper is to show four cases of Sshaped canals performed with different approaches by four specialists from different clinical scenarios

Summary

Introduction

Straight simple root canal systems are exceptions and not rules in the human dentition. Nature frequently demonstrates curved root canal systems of high complexity with multiple curves in different planes [1]. Endodontic cleaning and shaping are difficult when such systems are presented [1,2,3]. Recent studies have highlighted the complexity of the root canal system [4,5,6], which can create significant endodontic treatment difficulties. Curves in multiple spatial orientations provide examples of these clinical challenges [1, 7, 8] and an “ideal” preparation can be a difficult task to achieve, especially in canals with these features [9, 10]. The aim of this paper is to show four cases of Sshaped canals performed with different approaches by four specialists from different clinical scenarios

Case Reports

Discussion

Conclusion