What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate whether cone beam computed tomography provides additional clinical utility in identifying and negotiating the second mesiobuccal canal in maxillary first molars after initial exploration with a dental operating microscope and ultrasonic troughing.

August 16, 2026ZooKeysOpen Access

The role of CBCT in improving the detection and management of the second mesiobuccal canal in first maxillary molars compared with the operative microscope alone

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Authors

LVLyubomir St. VangelovMedical University Plovdiv KGKostadin G. GeorgievMedical University Plovdiv MTMihail J. TanevMedical University Plovdiv

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Implication

Clinical study shows that CBCT increases second mesiobuccal canal detection to 87.6% in maxillary molars when microscopy fails, highlighting its selective benefit in complex root canal anatomy.

Key Points

To evaluate whether cone beam computed tomography provides additional clinical utility in identifying and negotiating the second mesiobuccal canal in maxillary first molars after initial exploration with a dental operating microscope and ultrasonic troughing.
Evaluated 129 maxillary first molars undergoing primary endodontic treatment using a prospective two-stage clinical protocol (N=129).
Stage 1 involved canal identification using a dental operating microscope and ultrasonic tips; teeth with undetected or unnegotiated canals received a stage 2 CBCT scan followed by a second clinical attempt.
Microscopic exploration combined with ultrasonic troughing achieved an initial second mesiobuccal canal detection rate of 79.1%.
CBCT identified an additional canal in 40.7% of teeth not detected in the first stage, increasing the overall detection rate to 87.6%.
Canal morphology, specifically patency and canal confluence, significantly influenced the likelihood of successful canal negotiation.

Cite This Study

Vangelov et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a817980f2fb91fc834aca5e https://doi.org/10.3897/folmed.68.e180637

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Implication

Clinical study shows that CBCT increases second mesiobuccal canal detection to 87.6% in maxillary molars when microscopy fails, highlighting its selective benefit in complex root canal anatomy.

The role of CBCT in improving the detection and management of the second mesiobuccal canal in first maxillary molars compared with the operative microscope alone

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

The role of CBCT in improving the detection and management of the second mesiobuccal canal in first maxillary molars compared with the operative microscope alone

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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