Additional Root in the Mandibular First Molar - A Rare Case Report

A clear understanding of the anatomy of human teeth becomes an essential prerequisite for achieving success in endodontic treatment. The presence of an untreated canal may be a reason for failure. The importance of developing a visual picture of the expected locations and number of canals in a particular tooth can’t be overlooked. This report describes a mandibular first molar with unusual root morphology present in the form of distolingual root. The main objective of root canal treatment is to locate all the root canals and thorough mechanical and chemical cleansing of the entire pulp space followed by complete obturation with an inert filling material [1]. Therefore, it is imperative that aberrant anatomy is identified prior to and during root canal treatment of such teeth. Unusual root anatomy number associated with the mandibular first molar has been reported in several Studies. In 1974, Vertucci and Williams [2] as well as Barker et al. [3] described the presence of an extra distal root. Since then, there have been multiple case reports of aberrant canals in the mesial root of the mandibular molar [4-6]. The present report describes additional distal root and its clinical significance.