[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":3,"doc-seo-454886-105":59,"doc-detail-454886-en":131},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,13,18,23,28,33,38,43,48,51,55],{"id":8,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":10,"show_sort_weight":11,"slug":12},1,"Document","Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":14,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":15,"show_sort_weight":16,"slug":17},2,"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":19,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":20,"show_sort_weight":21,"slug":22},4,"Exam",70,"exam",{"id":24,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":25,"show_sort_weight":26,"slug":27},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":29,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":30,"show_sort_weight":31,"slug":32},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":34,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":35,"show_sort_weight":36,"slug":37},7,"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":39,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":40,"show_sort_weight":41,"slug":42},8,"Research & Report",30,"research-report",{"id":44,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":45,"show_sort_weight":46,"slug":47},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":46,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":49,"show_sort_weight":46,"slug":50},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":52,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":53,"show_sort_weight":52,"slug":54},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":56,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":9,"category_name":57,"show_sort_weight":24,"slug":58},19,"General","general",{"code":4,"msg":60,"data":61},"ok",{"site_id":62,"language":63,"slug":64,"title":65,"keywords":66,"description":67,"schema_data":68,"social_meta":124,"head_meta":126,"extra_data":128,"updated_unix":130},105,"en","the-c-in-complexity-a-case-series-on-navigating-fans-classification-of-c-shaped-canals","The “C” in Complexity - A Case Series on Navigating Fan’s Classification of C-shaped Canals","","C-shaped canal anatomy is most commonly found in mandibular second molars, and its complex ribbon-shaped configuration, transverse anastomoses, fins, and webs make endodontic negotiation, debridement, and obturation challenging. Radiographic and clinical assessment enables identification and targeted management of Fan-based C-shaped classifications. Root canal configuration knowledge is essential to achieve success. This case series documents four different cases categorized using Fan’s classification, and all achieved positive outcomes with specific protocols and modified obturation techniques.",{"@graph":69,"@context":123},[70,84,106],{"@type":71,"itemListElement":72},"BreadcrumbList",[73,77,79,82],{"item":74,"name":75,"@type":76,"position":8},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":78,"name":9,"@type":76,"position":14},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/",{"item":80,"name":35,"@type":76,"position":81},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/healthcare/",3,{"item":83,"name":65,"@type":76,"position":19},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/the-c-in-complexity-a-case-series-on-navigating-fans-classification-of-c-shaped-canals/454886/",{"url":83,"name":65,"@type":85,"image":86,"author":91,"headline":65,"publisher":94,"fileFormat":97,"inLanguage":63,"description":67,"dateModified":98,"datePublished":99,"encodingFormat":97,"isAccessibleForFree":100,"interactionStatistic":101},"DigitalDocument",{"url":87,"@type":88,"width":89,"height":90},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/the-c-in-complexity-a-case-series-on-navigating-fans-classification-of-c-shaped-canals/454886.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":92,"@type":93},"Stanley","Person",{"url":74,"name":95,"@type":96},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-11-06","2026-09-30",true,{"@type":102,"interactionType":103,"userInteractionCount":105},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":104},"ViewAction",11,{"@type":107,"mainEntity":108},"FAQPage",[109,115,119],{"name":110,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":112},"Where are C-shaped canals most commonly found?","Question",{"text":113,"@type":114},"C-shaped canal anatomy is most commonly found in mandibular second molars.","Answer",{"name":116,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":117},"Why is managing C-shaped canals challenging in endodontic therapy?",{"text":118,"@type":114},"The complex anatomy, including fan-shaped regions, transverse anastomoses, fins, and webs, can make negotiation, debridement, and obturation difficult.",{"name":120,"@type":111,"acceptedAnswer":121},"How many cases are presented, and how are they categorized?",{"text":122,"@type":114},"The case series presents four different cases categorized based on Fan’s classification of C-shaped canal configurations.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":83,"og:type":125,"og:title":65,"og:site_name":95,"og:description":67},"article",{"robots":127,"canonical":83},"index,follow",{"doc_id":129,"site_id":62},454886,1791092851,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":132},{"doc_id":129,"user_id":133,"nickname":92,"user_avatar":134,"doc_module":4,"category_id":34,"category_name":35,"doc_title":65,"doc_description":67,"doc_content":135,"file_id":136,"file_url":137,"file_type":138,"file_size":139,"view_count":105,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":8,"is_downloadable":8,"audit_status":8,"page_count":105,"language":140,"language_code":63,"site_id":62,"html_lang":63,"table_of_contents":141,"faqs":142,"seo_title":143,"seo_description":67,"update_tm":144,"read_time":145,"preview_page_count":4},2336477405376,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_29158cc5080c5b710cf443261637dec0","Review began 11/07/2025  \nReview ended 12/05/2025  \nPublished 12/08/2025  \n© Copyright 2025  \nRawal et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC-BY 4.0. , which permits unrestricted use , distribution , and reproduction in any medium , provided the original author and source are credited.  \nDOI: 10.7759/cureus.98699  \nOpen Access Case Report  \nThe “C” in Complexity: A Case Series on Navigating Fan’s Classification of C-shaped Canals  \nAabha B. Rawal 1 , Dhaval V. Desai 2, Riddhi V. Doshi 3 , Hetvi K. Bhuva 4  \n1. Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Government Dental College and Hospital, Jamnagar, IND 2. Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Science, Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad, IND 3. Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Private Practice, Ahmedabad, IND 4. Public Health, Reflections Dental Care, Brooklyn Park, USA  \nCorresponding author: Aabha B. Rawal, [rawalaabha3@gmail.com](rawalaabha3@gmail.com)  \nAbstract  \nC-shaped canal anatomy is most commonly found in mandibular second molars. The complex anatomy can be challenging to the clinician during negotiation, debridement, and obturation. The fan-shaped regions, transverse anastomoses, fins, and webs ofthe C-shaped anatomy can be identified and treated with the help of radiographic and clinical diagnosis. Adequate knowledge of the root canal configuration is essential to achieve success in endodontic therapy. This case series highlights the management of four different cases of C-shaped canal configurations categorized on the basis of Fan 's Classification. Despite the significant challenges, a positive outcome was achieved in all the cases through specific protocols and modified obturation techniques.  \nCategories: Dentistry  \nKeywords: c-shaped canal configuration, endodontic treatment, fan 's classification, root canal anatomy,  \nthemoplasticized obturation  \nIntroduction  \nA good understanding of the root canal anatomy is essential for the success of root canal therapy. The root canal anatomy of the mandibular second molars varies greatly. The root canal system 's \"C \" configuration is  \nthe most prevalent among them, which was first reported by Cooke and Cox in 1979 [1] . Manning [2]  \nproposed that the main reason for the C canal configuration might be the inability of Hertwig 's epithelial root sheath to fuse onto the buccal or lingual root surface. Instead of having multiple distinct orifices, this form of canal arrangement has a single ribbon-shaped orifice that resembles a 180° arc that begins at themesiolingual line angle and arcs across the buccal to the distal side. The two main variations are (a) a single, ribbon-like, C-shaped canal that extends from the aperture to the apex and (b) three or more separate canals that emerge beneath the C-shaped orifice [3] .  \nWith a prevalence ranging from 2. 7% to 44.5%, the C-shaped variations were most frequently found in  \nmandibular second molars [4] . Additionally, maxillary first molars (0 . 12%), maxillary third molars (4 . 7%), mandibular third molars (3 .5-4%), and mandibular second premolars (1%) have also been observed to have\"C \" shaped canals [5] . It is not associated with gender, age, or tooth position. However, ethnic predilection is noted, with the highest incidence reported in East Asian population groups such as Chinese (29 . 7%) and  \nKoreans (31 .3%-45 .5%) [6] .  \nVarious classifications have been published to make it easier to diagnose and treat variations of C-shaped  \ncanals. Melton [7] divided them into three groups based on their cross-section: continuous C-shaped,  \nsemicolon-shaped, and two or more distinct canals. Fan et al. [8] later modified this classification, as the main drawback of Melton 's Classification was that there was no clear description of the difference between categories C2 and C3. Four distinct C-shaped canal configurations in mandibular second molars, classified  \nfrom C-1 to C","cbCaidw5r7pM1Gqa","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaidw5r7pM1Gqa","pdf",5185398,"English","# Abstract\n# Introduction\n# Case Presentation\n## Case Report","[{\"question\":\"Where are C-shaped canals most commonly found?\",\"answer\":\"C-shaped canal anatomy is most commonly found in mandibular second molars.\"},{\"question\":\"Why is managing C-shaped canals challenging in endodontic therapy?\",\"answer\":\"The complex anatomy, including fan-shaped regions, transverse anastomoses, fins, and webs, can make negotiation, debridement, and obturation difficult.\"},{\"question\":\"How many cases are presented, and how are they categorized?\",\"answer\":\"The case series presents four different cases categorized based on Fan’s classification of C-shaped canal configurations.\"}]","The “C” in Complexity - A Case Series on Navigating Fan’s Classification of C-shaped Canals | PDF",1790741621,28]