title: Morphometric study of the root anatomy in furcation area of mandibular first molars.
abstract: Furcation involvement in periodontal disease has been a challenge for the dentist.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate root dimensions in the furcation area of 233 mandibular first molars.
  
  
  METHODS
  Digital photomicrographs were used to obtain the following measurements on the buccal and lingual surfaces of each tooth: root trunk height (RT), horizontal interadicular distance obtained 1 mm (D1) and 2 mm (D2) below the fornix and interadicular angle (IA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean ± standard deviation of buccal and lingual furcation measurements were, respectively, 1.37 ± 0.78 mm and 2.04 ± 0.89 mm for RT; 0.86 ± 0.39 mm and 0.71 ± 0.42 mm for D1; 1.50 ± 0.48 mm and 1.38 ± 0.48 mm for D2; 41.68 ± 13.20° and 37.78 ± 13.18° for IA. Statistically significant differences were found between all measured parameters for buccal and lingual sides (p<0.05, paired t test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, the lingual furcation of mandibular first molars presented narrower entrance and longer root trunk than the buccal furcation, suggesting more limitation for instrumentation and worse prognosis to lingual furcation involvements in comparison to buccal lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, Araraquara Dental School, UNESP, Araraquara, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andréa Marcia
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Marcaccini
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pavanelo
authors.forename: Andressa Vilas Boas
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.forename: João Antonio Chaves de
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Hélio Ferraz
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Porciúncula
authors.forename: Joni Augusto
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cirelli
mesh_terms: D017823:Furcation Defects / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009811:Odontometry; D009929:Organ Size; D012016:Reference Values; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology*