title: [Localisation of main and ancillary foramina within the mesial and distal roots of the first lower molars].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Understanding the morphology of the root canal system, and especially its apical third, represents the basic precondition for the successful treatment of diseased pulp and the apical endodontium.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to precisely locate the main and ancillary foramina in the mesial and distal first lower molars.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred extracted first lower molars, originating from persons of both sexes and three different age groups, were used in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis of the sampled molars' apical third was carried out using a binocular magnifier and a digital X-ray scanner (Trophy). The results showed that the main mesial and distal root foramina were located mostly on the distal surface. The ancillary mesial and distal root foramina were located at the lingual end, in most cases. Statistical analysis demonstrated the congruence of results achieved using the binocular magnifier and digital x-ray in 100% of cases if the main foramen is located on the very top of the mesial root (chi2 = 17.23; p < 0.001), and in 92.9% of cases if the main foramen is localised on the very top of the distal root of the first lower molar (chi2 = 12.07; p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most common localisation of the main foramina for all age categories and in both mesial and distal roots is on the distal surface of the root. The greatest number of ancillary foramina was observed in the youngest age category, while they were localised most often on the lingual side of the mesial and distal root.
authors.forename: Milica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jovanović-Medojević
authors.forename: Slavoljub
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zivković
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology*