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The Complexity of the Apical Anatomy

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The Root Canal Anatomy in Permanent Dentition

Abstract

The apical portion of the root canal system is characterized by a very complex and variable anatomy. The main canal displays a constriction located slightly short of the main apical foramen, but ramifications are common. After pulp exposure by caries, necrosis and infection progress slowly in an apical direction and give rise to apical periodontitis, even before the pulp is completely necrotic and infected. Bacteria infecting the apical portion of the root canal system are the main cause of posttreatment apical periodontitis. The ideal apical limit of endodontic procedures is the apical constriction, but this structure is not always present. Pathologic changes, such as resorption of the apical root structure and canal calcification, may make it difficult to establish an adequate working length for endodontic procedures. In the light of the histological and microbiological conditions of the apical pulp tissue, the apical patency concept seems justified in cases with pulp necrosis/infection.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Private Practice, Cetraro, Italy

    Domenico Ricucci M.D., D.D.S.

  2. Private Practice, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Elizeu A. Pascon D.D.S., M.Sc., Ph.D.

  3. Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Estácio de Sá University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    José F. Siqueira Jr. D.D.S., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Domenico Ricucci M.D., D.D.S.
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  2. Elizeu A. Pascon D.D.S., M.Sc., Ph.D.
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  3. José F. Siqueira Jr. D.D.S., M.Sc., Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Domenico Ricucci M.D., D.D.S. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

    Marco A. Versiani

  2. University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Bettina Basrani

  3. University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

    Manoel D. Sousa-Neto

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Ricucci, D., Pascon, E.A., Siqueira, J.F. (2019). The Complexity of the Apical Anatomy. In: Versiani, M., Basrani, B., Sousa-Neto, M. (eds) The Root Canal Anatomy in Permanent Dentition. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73444-6_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73444-6_8

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-73443-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-73444-6

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