A study on the imaging of complex furcation forms in upper and lower molars

Background, aims: The form of the molar roots and their furcated region inf luence both the pathogenesis of periodontal destruction and therapeutic att empts. Method: Using a specially-constructed measuring device, 359 Ist and 2nd mol ars, both upper and lower, were analysed 3-dimensionally. The parameters me asured were horizontal furcation concavity, height of root trunk, degree of root taper, the distance between the root prominences adjacent to the furc ation entrances and the angle of root separation. Results: The mean horizontal furcation concavity in lower molars was 0.5 mm at a distance of I mm apical to the cemento-enamel-junction (CEJ) and 3 mm at the distance of 4 mm apical to the CEJ. The angle of root separation wa s between 16 degrees (lower jaw molars lingual) and 29 degrees (upper jaw m olars distal). The vertical distance from root separation to CEJ averaged 3 .3 mm in lower jaw molars and 4.8 mm in upper jaw molars. Conclusions: Our findings underline the variability of furcation morphology .