A maxillary center incisor with three independent roots and three root canals: A case report

RATIONALE: Three root canals (mesiobuccal, distobuccal and palatal) are rarely found (frequency <1%) in the maxillary central incisor even though root canal morphology in maxillary premolars is highly variable. Therefore, research papers showed that dentists can easily miss the root canals in diagnosis and inflammatory diffusion; which could cause unsuccessful root canal treatment leading to various possible infections and no change in original inflammations. In this report, the diagnose and clinical management of an unusual case of a maxillary center incisor with three independent roots and three root canals is presented, along with a demonstration of using CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) and collaborate with other departments to successfully accomplish an accurate diagnosis of the morphology and quantity of the root canal system. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient was referred to clinic for his repeatedly abscessed in the gums of the left upper central incisor. DIAGNOSES: Based on clinical and radiographic evidences, the patient was tentatively diagnosed with a chronic periapical periodontitis for #21 tooth. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was performed with the conventional root canal treatment and then clinical observed. OUTCOMES: At the second visit after 7 days, the patient was not sensitive to percussion. After operation for 3 months, and found that the sinus opening had not healed. Then, the patient was undergone with the periodontal flap surgery to remove root infection for 2 weeks. LESSONS: From this clinical case, the lesson learned is that the previous clinical experiences cannot be used to make judgments or decisions; it requires specific analysis from the information gathered through CBCT(Cone Beam Computed Tomography)and the cooperation between different departments to come up with a responsible decision. In any stomatological hospitals, due to the large number of departments and the strong specialized focuses for each department; it is very important to encourage and support the cooperation between the departments, to limit any judgment bias due to lack of knowledge and maximize each department's strengths.