open access
Clinical, imaging and genetic analysis of double bilateral radix entomolaris
open access
Abstract
Background: Anatomy describes that first mandibular molars have two roots: 1 mesial, with 2 root canals, and 1 distal, with 1 root canal. The presence of three roots in these teeth is uncommon. Root anatomical variations have an impact, especially in endodontic, where the highest rates of nonsurgical treatment failures are due to the inability to identify and access roots and/or accessory canals. The aim of this research is to report a case of double three-rooted mandibular first molar through clinical, imaging and genetic analysis.
Materials and methods: Using a panoramic radiography, the presence of three roots in teeth 36 and 46 was diagnosed in a female patient. Additionally, it was indicated a cone beam computed tomography. Moreover, leukocyte genomic DNA was obtained from a blood sample of the patient to determine her ethnicity through analysis of mitochondrial DNA haplogroups using polymerase chain reaction-length restriction fragment polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
Results: Both molars had three roots, 1 mesial (M), 1 distolingual (DL), also known as radix entomolaris (RE), and a distovestibular (DV). For both teeth, M root had 2 canals, and DV and DL roots presented just 1 canal. Mitochondrial DNA analysis determined presence of haplogroup C, corresponding to Amerindian ethnicity.
Conclusions: The presence of RE is uncommon. This case report contributes to describe this rare anatomical variation. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular-genetic study applied to dental anatomy and gives basis to develop future research in the area.
Abstract
Background: Anatomy describes that first mandibular molars have two roots: 1 mesial, with 2 root canals, and 1 distal, with 1 root canal. The presence of three roots in these teeth is uncommon. Root anatomical variations have an impact, especially in endodontic, where the highest rates of nonsurgical treatment failures are due to the inability to identify and access roots and/or accessory canals. The aim of this research is to report a case of double three-rooted mandibular first molar through clinical, imaging and genetic analysis.
Materials and methods: Using a panoramic radiography, the presence of three roots in teeth 36 and 46 was diagnosed in a female patient. Additionally, it was indicated a cone beam computed tomography. Moreover, leukocyte genomic DNA was obtained from a blood sample of the patient to determine her ethnicity through analysis of mitochondrial DNA haplogroups using polymerase chain reaction-length restriction fragment polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
Results: Both molars had three roots, 1 mesial (M), 1 distolingual (DL), also known as radix entomolaris (RE), and a distovestibular (DV). For both teeth, M root had 2 canals, and DV and DL roots presented just 1 canal. Mitochondrial DNA analysis determined presence of haplogroup C, corresponding to Amerindian ethnicity.
Conclusions: The presence of RE is uncommon. This case report contributes to describe this rare anatomical variation. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular-genetic study applied to dental anatomy and gives basis to develop future research in the area.
Keywords
anatomical variation, continental population groups, mitochondrial DNA, tooth root
About this articleTitle
Clinical, imaging and genetic analysis of double bilateral radix entomolaris
Journal
Issue
Article type
Case report
Pages
127-132
Published online
2015-03-02
Page views
1237
Article views/downloads
1399
DOI
10.5603/FM.2015.0018
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2015;74(1):127-132.
Keywords
anatomical variation
continental population groups
mitochondrial DNA
tooth root
Authors
C. A. Rodríguez-Niklitschek
G. H. Oporto
I. Garay
L. A. Salazar
