From: Terry Pannkuk
To: ROOTS
Sent: Saturday, July 01, 2006 6:31 AM
Subject: [roots] The "8' Canal Molar finished today

This was the case I presented as unfinished at the Summit and I finished it today.
It really did have 8 canals, an MB1, MB2, MB3, DB1, DB2, DB3, P1, and P2.  Of course
there were some confluent systems (MB1-MB2, DB1-DB2-DB3, and P1-P2), BUT it sure
seemed important to regard them as 8 canals and I fitted 8 cones as shown in the pics.
The DB root can clearly be shown to have 3 converging systems.  The MB1-MB2 didn’t
really look like separate systems at the end but on further inspection you can see
a midroot accessory canal that probably wouldn’t have been addressed if the MB2
wasn’t cleaned shaped and flared into the MB1. The Palatal systems were connected
by a wide confluent fin with apical branching.

Maybe an insurance company would only count this as a 4 canal molar.  Maybe you will
count it as a 6-canal molar, but in order to treat it properly and give it my best
effort, I had to visualize it as an 8-canal molar and treat it as such fitting 8 cones.
- Terry







Your cases and lecture are inspirational. I love'em ! Keep them coming - Thomas

Awesome, Terry! How long did it take you (in total) to finish the case?
You just remainded me that these are not only "canals"... thanks. - Dmitri

Thanks Dimitri, It took me 6 ½ hours.  Without troughing and exploration of the MB3 and
extra DB’s it could have been treated in 1 ½ hours.  I spent much of the time figuring out
the DB root anatomy - Terry

Amazing! Was looking forward to the finished case after seeing the
first part in Amsterdam. Really Appreciate the teaching in Amsterdam - siju

Hi terry , sometimes i ve got the problem with masterpoints in dry canals, if the
tug back is very stiff.  i ve less problems with prewetting them or using the masterpoints
as last irrigation transporters.  as i could see in your pictures the canals arent absolute
dry . do you fit masterpoints normally in absolut dry canals? - Holger Dennhardt

No,  I fit the cones in wet canals (NaOCl)
My final rinse before drying to pack is Chlorhexidine. - Terry

Hi Terry, that's a great one! - Winfried

I think you should submit this to the guiness book of world records.
I've never found more than 5.  - gary

Amazing stuff Terry...............it was a great experience meeting you in Amsterdam and
you were considerate enough to spare some time to answer some of my queries....
Thanks for sharing and teaching................Sachin

Superb case. certainly archivable. thanks for sharing it.
Is there a pulp stone in the chamber Dr. Terry?? - Ananya