Anatomical and histological features of C-shaped canals in mandibular second molars.

The mandibular second molar has many root canal variations. This investigation used two evaluation methods to examine the canal morphology of mandibular second molars having C-shaped canals. Fifteen extracted mandibular second molars with a conical root and C-shaped canal orifice were separated into two groups. A polyester cast resin technique allowed three-dimensional visualization of the root canal system in eight teeth; the remaining seven molars were prepared for histological examination in cross-section in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds for study under the light microscope. The results illustrated that C-shaped canals in mandibular second molars can vary in number and shape along the length of the root with the result that debridement, obturation, and restoration in this group may be unusually difficult.