Quest Journals Journal of Medical and Dental Science Research Volume 4~ Issue 2 (2017) pp: 21-23 ISSN(Online) : 2394-076X ISSN (Print):2394-0751 www.questjournals.org *Corresponding Author: Dr. Pradnya V. Bansode 1 21 | Page Research Paper Butterfly Effect in Endodontics: A Systemic Review. Dr. Pradnya V. Bansode 1 , Dr. Seema D. Pathak 2 , Dr. M. B. Wavdhane 3 , Dr. Shirish Khedgikar 4 , Dr. Shilpa Rai 5 Received 16 Mar, 2017; Accepted 23 Mar, 2017 © The author(s) 2017. Published with open access at www.questjournals.org ABSTRACT: VRF occurs more frequently in buccolingual direction with craze lines, cracks on root sections more common buccolingually. . This can be attributed to presence of butterfly effect in some cross sections of tooth roots. Butterfly effect is an optical phenomenon in some cross-sections of tooth –roots. The presence of dentinal tubules causes light to refract and scatter. A decrease in the number of dentinal tubules results in greater light transmission to give a translucent appearance. Occurrence of butterfly effect is most commonly observed in posterior teeth as compared to anterior teeth. Butterfly effect has clinical significance as it contributes to one of the important predisposing factor for vertical root fracture, affects sealing ability of tooth and also contributes to dentinal hypersensitivity. Keywords:Butterfly effect, buccolingual, optical phenomenon, vertical root fracture, I. INTRODUCTION Vertical root fracture in endodontics is considered as a complex phenomenon as it is multifactorial in nature. No single specific etiology is considered pathognomonic for this complication. And therefore, prevention and treatment of this condition becomes quite difficult. Clinically, up to 31% of root filled teeth are extracted because of VRF. 1-4 The predisposing factors are practically noncontrollable. These include the specific anatomy of the susceptible roots, biochemical changes in the root dentin in the endodontically treated tooth, and loss of healthy tooth substance as a result of caries and trauma before beginning endodontic procedures. The contributing factors are attributed to the iatrogenic risk factors associated with various dental procedures performed on the tooth. The literature shows that VRF occurs more frequently in buccolingual direction with craze lines, cracks on root sections more common buccolingually 5-6. This can be attributed to presence of butterfly effect in some cross sections of tooth roots. Very few articles and studies are available regarding butterfly effect. So the aim of this review article is to understand the concept of butterfly phenomenon and its clinical significance. What is butterfly effect? The ‘‘butterfly’’ effect was first photographed by Beust in 1931 as an optical phenomenon in some cross- sections of tooth –roots 7 .Vasiliadis et al reported that dentinal tubular sclerosis differs in the mesiodistal and buccolingual directions, noting a characteristic butterfly shape in transverse sections of the roots caused by different shades of dentin 8 . Sclerosed dentin is more translucent than normal dentin. The presence of dentinal tubules causes light to refract and scatter. A decrease in the number of dentinal tubules results in greater light transmission to give a translucent appearance. Fig- Transverse section of tooth viewed under light microscope showing butterfly phenomenon