A scanning electron microscope study of prevalence of accessory canals on the pulpal floor of deciduous molars

The present in vitro study was carried out on 60 extracted human maxillary and mandibular, first and second primary molars, which were distributed equally into four groups to determine the prevalence, size, shape, location, and number of accessory canals in the pulpal floor of primary molars. The specimens were observed under scanning electron microscope. Out of 60, 34 teeth showed accessory canals with 97 patent canals. It was observed that maxillary molars showed a greater number of accessory canals when compared to mandibular molars, but mandibular molars showed a greater dimension in the size of the accessory canals. Round and oval accessory canals were seen, with round being more predominant.