title: Furcation anatomy of the first mandibular molar in dogs.
abstract: Tooth surface and interradicular area (furcation) measurements were taken of 20 first mandibular molar teeth obtained randomly from canine cadavers. The lingual furcation entrance had a mean width of 1.2 +/- 0.3 mm. The buccal furcation entrance had a mean width of 1.3 +/- 0.4 mm. There was no significant difference between mean furcation entrance measurements. The horizontal attachment area between the cementoenamel junction and the coronal roof of the lingual furcation was 1.1 +/- 0.4 mm. The horizontal attachment area between the cementoenamel junction and the coronal roof of the buccal furcation (0.5 +/- 0.3 mm) was significantly different from the lingual horizontal attachment area. Distal root length and mesial root length were 16.0 +/- 1.5 mm and 16.1 +/- 1.6 mm, respectively. The mean coefficient of variation for variables measured was 14.0%. Tooth size did not have a significant effect on furcation entrance measurement. All teeth had a concavity coronal to the furcation area, which extended apically for a mean distance of 65.6% of the distal root length and 83.8% of the mesial root length. Furcation anatomy of the first mandibular molar is complex and may be a contributing factor in periodontal disease involving the interradicular area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Massoudi
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: McCain
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008334:Mandible; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology*