Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science
Vol. 3 No. 2 (2018): (Available online: 1 August 2018)

Four rooted maxillary third molar: a case report of a rare clinical presentation

Babatunde O. Bamgbose (Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Bayero University Kano/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano, Kano, Nigeria)
Mohammad A. Kaura (Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Bayero University Kano/Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano, Kano, Nigeria)
Anas I. Yahaya (Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bayero University Kano, Kano, Nigeria)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Aug 2018

Abstract

Objective: Maxillary molars are known to have three roots (two buccal and one palatal) and the occurrence of four-rooted maxillary molars is uncommon. Maxillary teeth with accessory roots have been classified into four categories based on root configurations. The presence of an accessory root may complicate an otherwise routine exodontia of the maxillary third molar, especially because of the proximity of the floor of the maxillary antrum and the maxillary tuberosity.Methods: A 35 year old male patient was referred to the Oral Diagnostic Sciences Clinic from the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Clinic on account of right-sided facial pain of one-month duration. Intraoral examination, revealed a carious maxillary right third molar that was tender to percussion. Periapical radiograph revealed large coronal radiolucency involving the distal half of the tooth with extension into the distal pulp horn. The portrayed outlines of the roots showed two buccal roots and the outlines of what appears to be two straight palatal roots.Results: Socket extraction of the maxillary third molar under local anaesthesia.Conclusion: In clinical practice of endodontics and oral surgery, it is good practice to anticipate the likely presence of an accessory root on a maxillary molar in order to avoid post-operative complications following treatment.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jdmfs

Publisher

Subject

Dentistry

Description

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science (J Dentomaxillofac Sci) is an international, peer-reviewed, and open access journal published in English language. Our journal aims to keep dentists informed of developments and advances in general dentistry and its different specialties in an easy-to-read ...