Pulp Morphology Flashcards
what is the lateral communication found in root canals and in which teeth are they found
this is anastomosis in the form of fins or accessory canals
even roots with a single canal will have lateral and accessory canals leaving the main canal, but it occurs when two canals exist in the same root.
what does the pulp chamber in the coronal cavity of the tooth consist of
a single cavity with projections called pulp horns into the cusp of the tooth
what happens to the pulp chamber as we age and why
it reduces due to the formation of secondary dentine, which can be physiological or pathological in origin
where are the entrances to root canals found
on the floor of the pulp chamber, usually below the centre of the cusp tips
what is the shape of the root canals when viewed on cross section
ovoid, with the greatest diameter at the orifice or just below it
what is the shape of root canals when viewing in a longitudinal section
broader buccolingually than in the mesiodistal plane
canals taper toward the apex and follow the external outline of the tooth
where is the narrowest part of the root canal found
the apical constriction that opens out as the apical foramen and exits to one side
what do the lateral canals form
channels of communications between the main body of the root canal and the periodontal ligament space
arise anywhere along its length at right angles to the main canal
why do lateral and accessory canals develop
due to a break in hertwigs epithelial root sheath or during development if the sheath grows around existing blood vessels
how many central incisors have accessory canals
60%
describe the features of the root canal in the maxillary central incisor
- one canal usually
- straight and tapering
- curves labially or palatally at the apical third of the root
- narrowing of the lumen at the cervical level
describe the access cavity for the maxillary central incisor
inverted triangle shape cut at the base of the cingulum to give a straight line of access
describe the features of the root canal in the maxillary lateral incisor
- one canal, shorter than central, straight and tapering
- apical third curves distally
- very fine canal with thin walls
- narrowing of canal apical third level
- more palatally placed
describe the access cavity for the maxillary lateral incisor
inverted triangle at the base of the cingulum
describe the features of the root canal in the maxillary canine
- oval canal that is spacious during instrumentation
- sudden narrowing at apical 2-3mm
- apex curves labially which makes determining length difficult
describe the access cavity for the maxillary canine
oval
describe the features of the root canal in the maxillary first premolar
- one to three root variation
- almost always two canals present even when exiting through a common apical foramen
- apical third can curve sharply buccally, palatally, mesially or distally.
- buccal root can subdivide into two canals in the apical third
describe the access cavity for the maxillary first premolar
oval access cavity cut between the cusp tips and is wider buccopalatally than mesiodistally
what is the most difficult tooth root canal to treat
maxillary first premolar as the canal system can be complex
describe the features of the root canal in the maxillary second premolar
40% single canal in single root
58% two canals
apical third can curve considerably distally or buccally. distal is more common.
describe the access cavity for the maxillary second premolar
similar to first premolar; oval between the cusp tips, wider buccopalatally than mesiodistally
describe the features of the root canal in the maxillary first molar
- three roots
- palatal is the longest and the mesiobuccal and distobuccal are slightly shorter
- canals of the mesiobuccal root are fine and difficult to negotiate
- anastomosis between the two canals can take the form of narrow canals or wide fins, the curvature of the roots can be difficult to visualise from radiographs
- second mesiobuccal canal can be superimposed on the primary mesiobuccal canal
- palatal root curves toward the buccal aspect and appears shorter on radiograph