Clinical management of a mandibular first molar with multiple mesial canals

Deviations from the norm in root canal morphology are not uncommon. Dental clinicians should keep this possibility in mind whenever they perform root canal treatment. The root canal treatment of a mandibular molar with aberrant canal configuration can be diagnostically and technically challenging. The astute clinician must be aware of recent literature that states that the mandibular first molar has a 1-15% chance of a fifth canal. This poster reveals clinical management of a mandibular first molar with multiple mesial canals and also demonstrates a clinical case that contained a fifth canal i.e. the middle mesial canal. A good knowledge of possible variations in root canal morphology and a little extra effort to search for additional canals can go a long way in improving the long-term prognosis of the tooth in question. Keywords: mandibular first molar, multiple mesial canals, middle mesial canal, root canal morphology