Case of the Week 4

Canal ramifications, including apical deltas and lateral canals, are common features of mandibular molar anatomy (DeDeus, 1975). Lateral lesions may form if an endodontic infection affects the periodontal tissues at the exits of large lateral canals. It remains unclear if expelling obturation material into lateral canals (as seen in the post-op PA) is necessary for the lesions to heal or just a way to highlight their presence (Ricucci and Siqueira, 2010).