The mesiobuccal root of the maxillary molars is well known to pose a hindrance during endodontic therapy. Presented here is a case of a maxillary left second molar where three canals were located in its mesiobuccal root with the use of visual and diagnostic aids. Difficulties encountered during the process of unveiling the tooth's internal anatomy were discussed. The dilemmas encountered pertained to the root canal configuration, the nomenclature of the extra canals, and the justification for the presence of a third canal. The root canal configuration of 3-2-1 was confirmed for the mesiobuccal root using information gained from clinical, radiographic, and multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scan findings. This case demonstrates the need for efforts to locate extra canals in the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary molars as their internal anatomy remains a mystery.
Dental Pulp Cavity ; Molar ; Multidetector Computed Tomography

Presented here is a case where 8 canals were located in a mandibular first molar. A patient with continuing pain in mandibular left first molar even after completion of biomechanical preparation was referred by a dentist. Following basic laws of the pulp chamber floor anatomy, 8 canals were located in three steps with 4 canals in each root. In both of the roots, 4 separate canals commenced which joined into two canals and exited as two separate foramina. At 6 mon follow-up visit, the tooth was found to be asymptomatic and revealed normal radiographic periapical area. The case stresses on the fact that understanding the laws of pulp chamber anatomy and complying with them while attempting to locate additional canals can prevent missing canals.
Dental Pulp Cavity ; Dentists ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Molar* ; Tooth

INTRODUCTIONThe aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy in targeted screening diabetic patients (Group I) with newly diagnosed diabetic patients in general practice (Group II).

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis was an observational cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from 25,313 subjects who participated in the diabetic screening camps, and 128 newly diagnosed diabetes who presented to the diabetic retinopathy screening camps in general practice in rural and urban south India. The study variables were collected from all patients who underwent eye examination from the target screening detected diabetics [(n = 173) Group I] and those newly diagnosed in general practice [(n = 128) Group II]. The variations in prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy in Group I and Group II and the factors affecting it were identified.

RESULTSThe occurrence of diabetic retinopathy was 6.35% (95% CI, 2.5-9.5) in Group I and 11.71% (95% CI, 5.6-16.4) in Group II. No significant difference was observed on occurrence of diabetic retinopathy, including sightthreatening retinopathy, in rural versus urban population and in Group I versus Group II. Patients diagnosed in general practice (Group II) with systolic blood pressure (BP) >140 were more likely to have retinopathy (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONSDiabetic retinopathy including sightthreatening complications was found at the time of diagnosis of diabetes in the targeted screening group as well as in newly diagnosed diabetics in the general practice group.

Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Family Practice ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; India ; epidemiology ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Rural Population ; Urban Population