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

ABSTRACT

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.