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Mandibular Ovoid

# Mandibular Canine

[Previous tooth Mandibular Lateral Incisor FDI 32 · 42](https://endo-guide.app/access-cavities/mand-lateral-incisor)[Next tooth Mandibular First Premolar FDI 34 · 44](https://endo-guide.app/access-cavities/mand-first-premolar)

![Mandibular canine — oval lingual access cavity with a single slot-shaped canal orifice](https://endo-guide.app/images/access-cavities/atlas/mandibular-canine.webp)

Mandibular canine — oval lingual access cavity with a single slot-shaped canal orifice

 Average Length 25.6 mm

 Root Development 14 years

 Universal # 22, 27

 FDI # 33, 43

### Access Cavity Design

Shape Ovoid

OrientationBuccolingual; extend linguo-cervically into cingulum to explore for lingual canal

Entry PointCenter of lingual surface, at or just above cingulum

Landmarks

- Cingulum as inferior boundary of access
- Cusp tip as superior reference

Do Not Invade

- Cusp tip (preserve heavily functioning cusp)
- Labial wall (maintain dentin thickness)

### Canal Anatomy

#### Configurations

Single canal (Vertucci Type I)80-98%

Two canals, one root (Vertucci Type II/III)5-20%

Two roots with two canals<3% Caucasian; up to 15% Asian

#### Canal Positions

 MC Main Canal

Ovoid at cervical, oval/long-oval at mid-root, round at apex

 B Buccal Canal

Easier and straighter when 2 canals present

 L Lingual Canal

Shielded by lingual shelf — more prominent than in mandibular incisors

#### Danger Zones

- ⚠Distal root wall — thinnest dentin, strip perforation risk during shaping
- ⚠Buccal bone fenestration (~16-22%) — lower than maxillary canine but still significant
- ⚠Exceptional length (avg 25.6 mm, up to 30 mm) — instrument fatigue risk

### Clinical Tips

Warning

Longest mandibular tooth (avg 25.6 mm, up to 30 mm) — may require 31 mm instruments

Technique

Extend access linguo-cervically into cingulum to locate potential lingual canal (5-20% prevalence)

Technique

Oval/long-oval canal at mid-root — directional (anti-curvature) instrumentation needed, not just rotary

Tip

Lingual shelf more prominent than in mandibular incisors — requires more aggressive removal for exploration

### Anatomical Variations

#### Two Canals, Single Root (Type II/III)

5-20%

Buccal and lingual canals within single root. Lingual canal shielded by prominent lingual shelf.

Access Modification: Extend access linguo-cervically; remove lingual shelf with ultrasonics under magnification

#### Two Roots with Two Canals

<3% Caucasian; up to 15% Asian

Bifurcation into buccal and lingual roots with separate canals. Significant ethnic variation — much higher in Asian populations.

Access Modification: Extended buccolingual access to locate both orifices; CBCT recommended for root mapping

### Other teeth in the atlas

Maxillary

[Maxillary Central Incisor](https://endo-guide.app/access-cavities/max-central-incisor)[Maxillary Lateral Incisor](https://endo-guide.app/access-cavities/max-lateral-incisor)[Maxillary Canine](https://endo-guide.app/access-cavities/max-canine)[Maxillary First Premolar](https://endo-guide.app/access-cavities/max-first-premolar)[Maxillary Second Premolar](https://endo-guide.app/access-cavities/max-second-premolar)[Maxillary First Molar](https://endo-guide.app/access-cavities/max-first-molar)[Maxillary Second Molar](https://endo-guide.app/access-cavities/max-second-molar)

Mandibular

[Mandibular Central Incisor](https://endo-guide.app/access-cavities/mand-central-incisor)[Mandibular Lateral Incisor](https://endo-guide.app/access-cavities/mand-lateral-incisor)[Mandibular First Premolar](https://endo-guide.app/access-cavities/mand-first-premolar)[Mandibular Second Premolar](https://endo-guide.app/access-cavities/mand-second-premolar)[Mandibular First Molar](https://endo-guide.app/access-cavities/mand-first-molar)[Mandibular Second Molar](https://endo-guide.app/access-cavities/mand-second-molar)

For Educational Purposes Only

Access cavity designs based on established endodontic principles. Always refer to current literature and clinical guidelines.

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