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Abstract
The presence of an undiscovered second mesiobuccal canal (MB2) may adversely affect prognosis.
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Wolcott J, Ishley D et al. J Endodon 2005; 31: 262–264
This study extends by 3 yrs an earlier report on 1,873 consecutive maxillary molars either treated or retreated over a 2 yr period, and a total of 5,616 teeth were examined clinically and radiographically by 6 experienced endodontists.
MB2 canals were found in 58% of 2,814 initially treated first molars, and 66% of 764 retreated ones (P < 0.0001). For second molars, respective figures were: 34% of 1,845 and 40% of 193 (P = 0.13). After controlling for molar type, the overall incidence of MB2 was associated with type of treatment (Mantel Haenszel test: P < 0.0001).
The authors note that it is not possible to prove experimentally that an untreated MB2 canal may cause treatment failure, but their findings are supportive of this hypothesis.
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A 5 yr clinical investigation of second mesiobuccal canals in endodontically treated and retreated maxillary molars. Br Dent J 198, 691 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4812384
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4812384