title: Morphometric study of length and grooves of maxillary lateral incisor roots.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Root grooves are considered a risk factor for periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to measure the length of the root of maxillary lateral incisors (MLI), as well as the width and depth of the concavities of their proximal surfaces, and also to determine the prevalence of palato-gingival grooves.
  
  
  METHODS
  the width and depth of root concavities, as well as root length were evaluated in 73 MLI. All teeth were measured using a digital contour measuring instrument for the root grooves and a caliper for evaluating root length.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After statistical analysis (p<0.05) it was possible to confirm: the mean root length on its mesial surface was (15.47+/-1.72 mm), on its distal surface (14.99+/-1.70 mm), on its buccal surface (13.10+/-1.69 mm) and on its lingual surface (12.71+/-1.53 mm); concavities were present in 100% of the samples; concavities were found 2mm, coronally from the CEJ, at the CEJ, and apically up to 8mm; the concavities were wider than deeper; on the mesial surface, the greatest width was (1.05 mm) and the greatest depth was (0.06 mm) both at the CEJ; 5) on the distal surface the greatest width was (0.73 mm) at 6mm apically from the CEJ and the greatest depth was (0.003 mm); the palato-gingival groove was observed in 9.58% of the samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mesial surface of the maxillary lateral incisor is the longest. The root concavities on the proximal surfaces are present in 100%. One must get acquainted to the morphological variations of roots to enhance diagnosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Division of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. carmenstorrer@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Carmen Mueller
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Storrer
authors.forename: Paulo Lisa
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Giuseppe Alexandre
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Romito
authors.forename: Francisco Emílio
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Pustiglioni
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor; D008437:Maxilla; D014015:Tissue Banks; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology*