Endodontic Retreatment of an Upper First Molar with Bifurcated Palatal Canal Using Preoperative Cone-beam Computed Tomography: A Case Report

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anatomic variations in palatal canal morphology in maxillary first molars (MFMs) are relatively rare occurrences. Therefore, omission is common unless clinicians recognize their presence.

CASE REPORT: The aim of this report is to point out new signs that can be viewed as indicators of the existence of additional canals in the palatal root (PR) in this upper first molar endodontic retreatment case. Moreover, the role of preoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in both discovering and determining the location of those additional canals will also be discussed.

CONCLUSION: Besides formerly discussed signs that indicate the existence of this canal, clinicians should also pay attention to other signals on periapical radiograph, including the aberrant divergence of a palatal canal at apical third and an unusual lesion occurring laterally in the periapical area of palatal root.