Fig. 8

Three-dimensional reconstructions of the observed pulp configurations in maxillary molars. Pulp horns and root canals are labeled with Arabic numerals ranging from 1 to 4 and Roman numerals ranging from I to IV, respectively. Reference planes (A to F) indicate the position of selected 2D-images. Given the strong morphological similarities between molars at different Triadan positions, communal reconstructions have been constructed to illustrate different pulp configurations. A common pulp chamber is demonstrated in a 1 year and 5 months old Triadan 209, in which all pulp horns and root canals communicate. Two types of partial segmentation could be observed in other teeth. A first, as demonstrated in a 3 years and 7 months old Triadan 109, was found at the level of Triadan 09, 10 and 11 s. Communication existed between pulp horn 1 and root canal I, pulp horn 3 and root canal III and between pulp horn 2, 4 and root canal II and IV. An additional configuration was only found in one Triadan 10 (9 years and 4 months) characterized by 3 separate pulp compartments with a remaining mesio-distal communication between pulp horns 1 and 2. Compartments thus consisted of pulp horn 3 and root canal III, pulp horn 4 and root canal IV and pulp horn 1, 2 and root canal I and II. Maximal segmentation was observed at all Triadan positions in relatively older cheek teeth as demonstrated in a 3 years and 4 months old Triadan 210. Note the divergent direction of the reconstructed root canals observed in these specific teeth