Summary:
•Purpose:
to determine the effect of various instruments/ techniques on the detection of canals in MAX molars. And to record the relationship of canals to each other.
•N= 1st 1096, 2nd 611, and 3rd 25 . Inclusion : No. of canals(1, 2, 3, or 4), vital, necrotic and retreatment cases.
•Materials/Methods:
•Data was obtained from patients’ files treated from July 1989 to December 1997.
•Rhomboidal access was made, irrigation with 2.5% warm NaOCl, sometimes 17% EDTA. Solvent and/or instruments used in ReTX cases. troughing with burs/ultrasonic was used sometimes in ReTX cases.
•Vision aids: 1st 2 years surgical telescope (X2.5,X4.0) with fiberoptic light or headlamp, later DOM used and in last 18 months in all cases.
•Canals were considered joined if paper point/capillary tip inserted in one canal reduced fluid in the other.
•Obturation with vertical compaction and Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer EWT.
•For each tooth: type, # canals, joined or not, if instrumented to terminus, status of pulp. (2-1-2 canals were considered as separate, MB2 present if 3-4 mm could be instrumented).
Most highlighted Results:
•Higher incidence of MB2 in MAX 1st molar and joined canals in MAX 2nd molar.
•Use of DOM significantly increased # of canals found by 10%.

