title: Morphometric analysis of occlusal groove-fossa-system in mandibular third molar.
abstract: Based on serially cut 200-microns-thick sections from 21 human mandibular third molars, a quantitative characterization was made of the morphology in the mesial and distal interlobal groove. Two parameters were used: depth of interlobal groove and structure angle. The interlobal groove depth varied between 0.13 and 0.55, taken in relation to the maximum crown height. The structure angle varied between 2 degrees and 170 degrees. If the structure angle was less than or equal to 25 degrees, the interlobal groove was classified as a fissure; if the angle was greater than 25 degrees, the interlobal groove was classified as a groove. Only in 18% of the sections did the interlobal groove manifest itself as a fissure. The study demonstrates that it was possible unambiguously to describe the two-dimensional profile of interlobal grooves by groove depth and structure angle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cariology and Endodontics, Royal Dental College, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Ekstrand
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Carlsen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thylstrup
mesh_terms: D002965:Classification; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009811:Odontometry