The C-shaped canal configuration: A challenge in dentistry Sinha Dakshita Joy1,*, Tyagi Shashi Prabha2, Gupta Shraddha3, Singh Udai Pratap4 1Reader, Dept. of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Kothiwal Dental College & Research Centre, U.P 2H.O.D. and Professor, Dept. of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Kothiwal Dental College & Research Centre, U.P 3P.G. Student, Dept. of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Kothiwal Dental College & Research Centre, U.P 4Professor, Dept. of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Kothiwal Dental College & Research Centre, U.P *Corresponding author: Dakshita Joy Sinha, Reader Dept. of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics Kothiwal Dental College & Research Centre, U.P. Email: djvaghela@yahoo.co.in; Mobile: 09760340728
Online published on 18 April, 2014. Abstract Inherent to cleaning and obturation of the root canal system is a thorough knowledge of canal morphology. Recognition of unusual canal configurations and variations are paramount, since it has been established that the root with a single tapering canal and apical foramina is the exception rather than rule. Once recognized the C-shaped canal turns out to be a great challenge in cleaning, debridement and obturation procedures and so happens because it is unpredictable whether the Cshaped orifice found on the floor of the pulp chamber actually continues to the apical third of the root. C-shaped canals present the clinician with an immense challenge. The high frequency of transverse anastomoses, apical deltas and lateral canals compels the clinician to use every resource at his disposal to achieve an adequately prepared canal. Thus a thorough understanding of this configuration with knowledge of challenges appearing to the clinician at each step is necessary. The PubMed database search revealed that the reference list for C-shaped canals featured 2, 68, 000 results. A forward search was undertaken on selected articles, author names and contemporary endodontic texts. A review is presented so as to aid a dentist to fairly face one of the most important challenges namely the C-shaped configuration. Top Keywords Anatomy, C-shaped Configuration, Obturation, Radiograph. Top |