CASE REPORT: SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF A THIRD CANAL IN THE MAXILLARY FIRST MOLAR MESIOBUCCAL ROOT

This case report emphasizes the clinical significance of the presence of a third canal in the mesiobuccal (MB) root of the maxillary first molar. We describe three cases in which non-surgical root canal treatment failed even though MB1 and MB2 were properly treated by an endodontist. Surgical intervention was attempted, in which the third MB canal was found and treated, resulting in good prognosis. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of a third MB canal, and be proficient in surgical intervention as well as orthograde treatment in such cases.