Orifice
Pronunciation: OR-ih-fiss
The opening of a root canal at the floor of the pulp chamber, marking the transition between the coronal pulp space and the radicular canal.
Full Definition
In endodontics, the canal orifice is the point at which an individual root canal opens into the pulp chamber floor. Accurate location of all orifices is essential to complete debridement, and missed orifices are a leading cause of endodontic failure. Editors should note that 'orifice' is distinct from 'foramen' (which refers to the apical opening) and from 'access cavity' (the preparation through the crown). Some authors use 'os' or 'opening' as informal substitutes, which editors working to formal style should replace with 'orifice.'
Usage
Usage note: Do not substitute 'opening' in formal clinical manuscripts. Distinguish carefully from 'apical foramen' (the exit at the root tip).
In Context
- "The orifice of the mesiolingual canal was located beneath a dentinal shelf obscuring it from direct vision." — Clinical case report
- "Troughing along the developmental groove revealed a fourth orifice not visible on preoperative imaging." — Continuing dental education module