DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2014.v02i05.004

Pages: 319-324

The outcome of endodontic treatment depends on thorough cleaning and shaping of the canal systems. Inability to do so will result in persistence of the infection. Canal systems are not uniform across all the teeth. There are innumerable reports of extra canals and roots being seen in all the teeth. The mandibular first molar is one of the commonly encountered teeth for endodontic treatment. Apart from the commonly seen canals, there is a 1-15% incidence of middle mesial canals. This canal can be identified easily using increased magnification with operating microscope. Inability to identify and treat this canal may lead to endodontic failure. This article reviews the literature about the middle mesial canal in mandibular first molars and gives a report of a case wherein the endodontic treatment was carried out under the surgical operating microscope.