title: Coronal pulp dimensions in noncarious and restored deciduous second molars: a radiovisiographic study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to measure the coronal pulp dimensions in primary maxillary and mandibular second molars and to evaluate the influence on restorative procedures on them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Included in this study were 80 4-7 year-old male and female patients with occlusal or proximal restorations on primary maxillary or mandibular second molars and with noncarious antimeres. Radiovisiographic images were captured utilizing standard bitewing radiographs via the parallel cone technique. Morphometric analysis was performed using Dexis and AutoCAD 2000 software, and data was analyzed using student's t test (unpaired).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant difference was found in crown and coronal pulp dimensions in noncarious (sound) primary maxillary and mandibular second molars, even though no significant reductions were found in restored primary second molars.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Crown and coronal pulp dimensions were significantly greater in noncarious primary mandibular second molars than in maxillary second molars. The mesiodistal crown width of maxillary molars was greater in males than in females. Nonsignificant reductions were observed in amalgam restored primary maxillary and mandibular second molars over a period of six months. No significant difference in pulpal dimensions was observed when Class I restorations were compared with Class II restorations in either arch.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, Peoples College of Dental Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. varpana@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Verma
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arpana
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Prabhakar
authors.forename: O S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Raju
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009811:Odontometry; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D012737:Sex Factors; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
chemical_list: D003723:Dental Amalgam