Middle mesial canal in mandibular first molar: A narrative review

Raghavendra Penukonda; Harshada Pattar; Phrabhakaran Nambiar; Afaf Al-Haddad

doi:10.1016/j.sdentj.2023.05.008

Middle mesial canal in mandibular first molar: A narrative review

Saudi Dent J. 2023 Jul;35(5):468-475. doi: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2023.05.008. Epub 2023 May 19.

Authors

Raghavendra Penukonda¹, Harshada Pattar², Phrabhakaran Nambiar³, Afaf Al-Haddad⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610, Selangor, Malaysia.
² Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610, Selangor, Malaysia.
³ Head of the Department, Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610, Selangor, Malaysia.
⁴ Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610, Selangor, Malaysia.

Abstract

Purpose: This review aimed to assess the incidence, anatomical characteristics, identification, and clinical management using conventional techniques and advanced tools to manage MMCs successfully.

Methods: Medline/PubMed and Scopus databases were searched using "Middle mesial canal," "Middle mesial root canal," OR "Accessory mesial canal" keywords from 1 January 1970 and 1 February 2023. The most pertinent articles were chosen for the review from the retrieved articles. In addition, relevant articles were added by manually searching the list of references.

Results: The incidence of MMC is noticeable in younger people, and the confluent canal is the most common type. The majority of MMCs merged with mesiobuccal (MB) canals rather than mesiolingual (ML) canals. Clinical management could be employed using the standard endodontics protocol, and recent radiography technologies, magnification, rotary, and obturation materials can facilitate the procedures.

Conclusion: The possibility of the incidence of MMC is not unusual. Detection and thorough debridement followed by obturation of the canal could increase the success rate of clinical outcomes.

Keywords: Canal configuration; Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT); Dental Operating Microscope (DOM); Mandibular first molar (M1M); Middle mesial canal (MMC).

Publication types

Review