In gemination, how many canals are usually present in the affected tooth?

• A. Two
• B. Three
• C. One
• D. Four

Answer: (C)

In gemination, typically, the affected tooth presents with one root canal, even though it may appear as a bifid or split tooth. Gemination occurs when a single tooth bud attempts to divide into two teeth. As a result, the tooth is often broader and has an unusually large crown with a single root and, consequently, a single canal system.

The presence of one canal is consistent with the nature of gemination, which is a developmental anomaly where one tooth bud results in two crowns or multiple cusps but maintains a single root structure. This is an important distinction from other variations such as fusion, where two separate tooth buds merge, which sometimes results in additional canals.

Understanding gemination helps in clinical practice, especially in pediatric dentistry, where recognizing variations in tooth structure can influence treatment and management strategies.