Association between dentin thickness and presence of accessory foramina in human permanent mandibular molars

The roots and periodontal system in human dentition are closely correlated from the early stagesof dental formation, maintaining this connection after teeth are established in the oral cavitythrough the apical foramen or other communications. Aim: Therefore, the aim of this study was toevaluate the correlation between the presence of foramina on the pulp chamber floor surface andin the furcation region and the thickness of dentin in this area. Methods: Forty sound permanentmandibular molars were submitted to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine thepresence of foramina on the pulp chamber floor and in the furcation region, and to correlate thepresence of foramina with the variation in wall thickness in these regions. Results: The resultsshowed a mean thickness of 2.16 mm for the teeth analyzed and a 25% frequency of foramina onthe pulp chamber floor and 92.5% in furcation area, with only 22.5% showing foramina on bothsides. The foramina found on both surfaces showed varied diameters and shapes and locationsdispersed throughout the area. Conclusions: There was no significant difference between themean thicknesses of teeth featuring foramina and those without foramina.

Ultrastructure of buffalo tooth enamel: a possible replacement for human teeth in laboratory research

Buffalo production takes place in several areas worldwide. In Brazil, buffalo are raised mainly in the Northern region, specifically in the Marajó archipelago, where most of the herd is slaughtered for meat. This makes possible the extraction of numerous healthy teeth from these animals as replacements for human teeth in laboratory tests. Aim: To evaluate the morphology of enamel from species Bubalus bubalis as a replacement for human enamel in laboratory research studies, considering its wider availability in the Amazon region. Methods: After removal, the teeth were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Teeth were sectioned in different planes - some were subjected to abrasion and others were merely polished for observation of surface enamel. All samples were submitted to a cleaning process, dried, sputter-coated with a platinum alloy and set for observation under SEM. Results: The SEM micrographs revealed an aprismatic surface enamel as well as prismatic enamel, the latter being similar to human enamel, in both arrangement and morphology. Conclusions: Buffalo enamel showed prismatic morphology, requiring further tests to corroborate its use as a substitute for human teeth.