This document discusses special anatomic problems that can occur during canal cleaning and shaping, including curved canals, calcified canals, C-shaped canals, and S-shaped canals. It provides guidelines for managing each type of anatomic problem, such as using smaller files, pre-curving files, changing filing techniques, copious irrigation, and adjusting filing forces. Managing complex canal anatomies requires modified cleaning and shaping approaches to complete the endodontic procedure successfully.

1. Special anatomic problems in canal cleaning and shaping (complication)
Name: Seyedsaeid Seyedraoufi Subject: Phantomic endodentic
Lecturer: Prof.Doctor Nino Korsantia
June 2020
Garg N., Garg A. - Textbook of Endodontics ,2011

2. Cleaning and Shaping of root canal
 Cleaning and shaping the root canal consists of removing the pulp
tissue and debris from the canal and shaping the canal to receive an
obturation material
 Using sequentially larger size of files and irrigating and disinfecting
the canal to clear it of debris , one shapes the canal to receive a well
condensed filling that seals the root canal apically and laterally to
prevent any leakage

3. Principles of endodontic cavity preparation
 List of preparations of endodontic cavity preparation is established by
slightly modifying “Principles Of Cavity Preparation“ established
by G.V.Black
 Endodontic preparations consists of both coronal and radicular
preparation each prepared separately but ultimately flowing together
into a single preparation:
Endodontic coronal cavity preparation:
1.Outline form 2. Convenience form 3. Removal of the remaining
carious dentine(and defective restoration)4.Toilet of the cavity
Endodontic radicular cavity preparation:
1.Outline form and convenience form(continued) 2. Toilet of the
cavity(continued)
3. Resistance form 4. Retention form

4. Anatomic problems
 Curved Canals
 Calcified Canals
 C-shaped Canals
 S-shaped Canals

5. Curved Canals
Unfortunately, not all root canals are straight. Clinicians regularly
encounter curves of different degrees and in various places all along
the root canal system
Management of curved Canals:
Estimate and calculate angle of curvature, imagine a straight line
from orifice towards canal curvature and another line from apex
towards apical portion of the curve.
The internal angle formed by interaction of these lines is the angle of
curvature.

6. File can cut dentine evenly only if it engages dentine around its entire
circumference. Once it becomes loose in a curved canal, it will tend to
straighten up and will contact only at certain points along its length.
Factor affecting success of negotiation of a curved canal:
a) Degree of curvature
b) Flexibility of instrument
c) Size of root canal
d) Width of root canal
e) Skill of operator
This can lead to occurrence of procedural errors. To avoid
occurrence of such errors there should be even contact of file to the
canal dentine.
 Also we need to decreased Filing
force to prevent any kind of
errors during working.

7. Decrease in the Filing Force can be done by:
A. Pre-curving the file.
B. Use of smaller number files.
C. Use of intermediate sizes of files: It has been seen that increment of
0.05 mm between the instruments is too large to reach the correct WL in
curved canals. To solve this problem, by cutting off a portion of the file
tip a new instrument size is created which has the size intermediate to
two consecutive instruments.
There is increase of 0.02 mm of diameter per millimeter of the length,
cutting 1 mm of the tip of the instrument creates a new instrument size,
for example, cutting 1 mm of a number 15 file makes it number 17 file.
D. Use of flexible files.

8. Decrease in length of actively cutting file can be done by:
A. Anti-curvature filing:
 Anti-curvature filing was introduced to prevent excessive removal of
dentin from thinner part of curved canals, for example, in mesial root
of mandibular molar and mesio buccal root of maxillary molar.
 The walls of opposite side from curve are instrumented more than the
inner walls resulting in a decrease of the overall degree of canal
curvature.
B. Changing the canal preparation techniques (using Crown down
technique).

9. Management of calcified Canals
Calcifications in the root canal system are commonly met problem
in root canal treatment.
 Various etiological factors seem to be associated with calcifications
are caries, traumas and aging.
 Success in negotiating small or calcified canals is predicted on a
proper access opening and identification of the canal orifice.
 The distance from the occlusal surface to the pulp chamber is
measured from the preoperative radiograph.

10.  At this suspected point a fine instrument number 8 or 10 K- file, is
placed into the orifice, and an effort is made to negotiate the canal.
 An alternative choice is to use instruments with reduced flutes,
such as a canal pathfinder which can penetrate even highly calcified
canals.
 The most common sign of accidental perforation is bleeding, but
bleeding may also indicate that the pulp in the calcified canal is vital.
 If there is any doubt as to whether the orifice has actually been found,
place a small instrument in the opening and take a radiograph
Management of calcified Canals

11. Guidelines for Negotiating Calcified Canals:
 Copious irrigation all times with 2.5 to 5.25 percent NaOCl enhances
dissolution of organic debris, lubricates the canal, and keeps dentin
chips and pieces of calcified material in solution.
 Always advance instruments slowly in calcified canals.
 Always clean the instrument on withdrawal and inspect before
reinserting it into the canal.
 When a fine instrument reaches the approximate canal length, do not remove
it; rather obtain a radiograph to ascertain the position of the file.
 Use chelating agents to assist canal penetration to full WL.
 Flaring of the canal orifice and enlargement of coronal third of canal
space improves tactile perception.

12. Management of C-shaped Canals
Though the prevalence of C-shaped canals is low, but those requiring
endodontic treatments present a diagnostic and treatment difficulties to
the clinician.
 Some C-shaped canals are difficult to interpret on radiographs and
often are not identified until an endodontic access is made.
 These are commonly seen in mandibular second molars and maxillary
first molars especially when roots of these teeth appear very close or fused.
 In maxillary molars, includes MB and palatal canals or the DB and
palatal canals. In the mandibular second molar, the C- shaped canal
includes MB and distal canals.

13.  Major problems come across during bio-mechanical
preparation of C- shaped canals are difficulty in removing
pulp tissue and necrotic debris, excessive hemorrhage, and
persistent discomfort during instrumentation.
 Because of large volumetric capacity of the C-shaped canal
system, along with transverse anastomoses and
irregularities, amounts of 5.25 percent NaOCl is necessary
for maximum tissue removal and for control of bleeding.
 Over preparation of C-shaped canals
should be avoided, because of
presence of only little dentin
between the external root surface
and the canal system in these teeth.

14. Management of S-shaped Canals
 S-shaped or bayonet shaped canals pose great problems while
endodontic therapy, since they involve at least two curves, with the
apical curve having maximum deviations in anatomy.
 These double curved canals are usually identified radiographically
with multi-angled radiographs, or when the initial apical file is
removed from the canal and it simulates multiple curves.
 S-shaped canals are commonly found in maxillary lateral incisors,
maxillary canines, maxillary premolars, and mandibular molars.

15.  Access preparation is flared to allow for a more direct entry.
 During initial canal penetration, it is essential that there be an
unrestricted approach to the first curve.
 Once the entire canal is negotiated, passive shaping of coronal
curve is done first, to facilitate the cleaning and shaping of the
apical curve.
 To prevent stripping in the coronal curve, anti curvature or
reverse filing is recommended, with primary pressure being
placed away from curve of coronal curvature.
 Gradual use of small files with short amplitude strokes is
essential to manage these canals effectively.
 Constant recapitulation with small files and copious irrigation
is necessary to prevent blockage and leading in the apical curve.
 Over curving the apical 3 mm of the file aids in maintaining
the curvature in the apical portion of the canal as the coronal
curve becomes almost straight during the later stages of
cleaning and shaping.