Furcation involvement in periodontal disease has been a challenge for the dentist.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate root dimensions in the furcation area of 233 mandibular first molars. Material and MethodsDigital 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). ResultsMean± 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±13.20º and 37.78±13.18º for IA. Statistically significant differences were found between all measured parameters for buccal and lingual sides (p<0.05, paired t test). ConclusionsIn 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.

OBJETIVO: Devido à importância da cicatrização dos defeitos que venham a acometer os tecidos ósseos, este estudo tem o objetivo de avaliar a ação do polímero de mamona durante a neoformação óssea. MÉTODOS: Para isto, um grupo de 45 ratos foi utilizado. Realizou-se a criação de um defeito ósseo na região do arco zigomático de todos os animais, sendo que todos estes defeitos foram preenchidos com o polímero de mamona. Decorridos períodos de 15, 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias, os animais foram sacrificados e seguiram-se as tramitações laboratoriais de rotina para análise histológica. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que o polímero de mamona auxiliou no processo cicatricial. CONCLUSÃO: Concluiu-se que o polímero de mamona auxiliou no processo regenerativo do defeito ósseo criado experimentalmente, atuando como um agente osteocondutor.

A high rate of root exposure and consequently the exposure of the furcation area is usually observed in multirooted teeth. In maxillary molar teeth, this fact may endanger the three existent furcations (buccal, mesial and distal), causing serious problems. In this research, distance measures from the buccal furcation to the mesial (F1M) and distal (F1D) surfaces of the mesio-buccal and disto-buccal roots; from the mesial furcation to the buccal (F2B) and palatal (F2P) surfaces of the mesio-buccal and palatal roots and from the distal furcation to the buccal (F3B) and palatal (F3P) surfaces of the disto-buccal and palatal roots, respectively were established. One hundred maxillary first molar teeth were used, 50 of the right and 50 of the left side. Reference marks and demarcations were determined on the furcations and also on the root surfaces involved in the measures. We concluded that these measurements are important because they may effectivelly contribute to diagnosis, prevention and treatment of periodontal problems. DESCRIPTORS: Furcation defects; Molar; Periodontal diseases. RESUMO:Nos dentes multirradiculares, é comum se observar uma alta taxa de exposição radicular e, conseqüen-temente, a exposição da região de furca. Nos molares superiores, esse fato pode afetar as três furcas existentes (vestibular, mesial e distal), ocasionando sérias dificuldades. Nesta pesquisa, foram estabelecidas medidas de distâncias da abertura da furca vestibular em relação às faces mesial (F1M) e distal (F1D) das raízes mésio-vestibular e disto-vestibular; da furca mesial em relação às faces vestibular (F2V) e palatina (F2P) das raízes mésio-vestibular e palatina e da furca distal em relação às faces vestibular (F3V) e palatina (F3P) das raízes disto-vestibular e palatina, respectivamente. Foram utilizados 100 primeiros molares superiores, separados respectivamente em 50 do lado direito e 50 do lado esquerdo. Medidas de referência e demarcações foram realizadas nas furcas e também nas superfícies radiculares adjacentes. Concluímos que essas mensurações são importantes porque contribuem eficientemente para o diagnóstico, a prevenção e o tratamento de problemas periodontais.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship among the point of greatest depression on the root trifurcation floor and the furcation openings of the maxillary second molars. Sixty human extracted upper permanent second molars were analyzed and the furcation area were measured using a vertical calliper, and the values regarding the point of deepest depression were recorded. The results showed that the deepest depression in the trifurcation floor of the roots is centrally situated in 11.7% of the cases, whereas 88.3% involve mesial-buccal and distal-buccal roots. The distal furcation (F3) had the largest distance from the point of deepest depression in the trifurcation floor (A), followed by the buccal (F1) and mesial (F2) furcations when point A was below their respective openings. On the other hand, the medial furcation (F2) had the largest distance from point A, followed by distal (F3) and buccal (F1) furcations when point A was above their respective openings.