Identification of Possible Factors Impacting Dental Students’ Ability to Locate MB2 Canals in Maxillary Molars

Abstract

This study examined the effect of the access size and straight-line path of access on third-year dental students' ability to locate a second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal in maxillary irst and second molars. One hundred and six third-year dental students at one Faculty of Dentistry performed simulated root canal treatment with the aid of 2x magniication loupes on extracted teeth. A postgraduate endodontic student subsequently made a reasonable search for an untreated MB2 canal with the aid of a dental operating microscope. The mesiobuccal roots were then sectioned horizontally for determination of the canal coniguration. The dental students were able to treat an MB2 canal in 15.8 percent of the teeth, but this was not associated with satisfactory access criteria. The postgraduate endodontic student identiied an MB2 canal in 54.7 percent of the remaining tooth samples excluding those where the MB2 canal was found by the dental students; this represented 94.3 percent of those teeth conirmed by horizontal sectioning of the root to have an MB2 canal. The postgraduate student troughed, on average, 2.6 mm before negotiating the MB2 canal. As satisfactory access criteria and straight-line path of access did not correlate with the dental students' ability to ind a second mesiobuccal canal, this result has important implications for educational goals with respect to endodontic treatment of maxillary molar teeth.

Magnification in endodontics: A review of its application and acceptance among dental practitioners

“…It is apparent that diagnostic power is associated with the level of magnification. [ 28 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 ]…”

The Frequency of Mesio Buccal Second Canals in Permanent Maxillary First Molar Using Different Methods: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Besides the age of patient and use of magnification, some investigators have also stated that identification of canal is related to expertise and experience of the operator as well 25,26,28 . A study conducted by Ellen, Babak and Jeffrey 29 , demonstrated that dental students were able to identify MB2 in only 15.8% of teeth as compared to postgraduate students, who were able to access MB2 canal in 54.7% of remaining sample teeth.…”

The maxillary molar endodontic access opening: A microscope-based approach

“…Since the MB2 canal is present in most (70–90%) of maxillary first molars, and approximately, 45% of maxillary second molars,[ 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 ] its presence should be assumed until demonstrated otherwise. Dentists using a microscope are significantly more likely to locate an MB2 canal (which often has a microscopic orifice) or extra canals in addition to the 3–4 typically found in maxillary molars,[ 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 ] compared to dentists using unaided vision.…”

“…Using microscopes, this overhang can be removed using a 330 bur or a piezoelectric cavitron tip. [ 19 21 36 37 40 41 ] However, if the file can reach the apex of a root that has an orifice overhang, removing the overhang may be unnecessary, and risks chamber floor perforation. Manually pushing files laterally against an orifice overhang during filing motions[ 13 40 41 ] may reduce the overhang.…”