European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 11 - Number 2
Eur J Anat, 11 (2): 77-84 (2007)

A SEM study of the orifices of the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first permanent molar

Perez-Zaballos Ma.T., Peix Sanchez M., Alvarez-Morujo Suarez A.J.

Departamento de Anatomía e Histología Humanas, Facultad de Medicina Y Odontologíe, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; Departamento de Cirugía, Facultad de Medicina Y Odontología, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; Departamento de Anatomía e Histología Humanas, Facultad de Medicina, Campus Unamuno s/n, 37002 37007 Salamanca, Spain

ABSTRACT We performed a Scanning Electron Microscopy study of the pulp chamber floor in human maxillary first permanent molar teeth, making an initial observation of the floor of intact pulp chambers and a second exploration with the buccal and mesial walls shaped to facilitate the investigation. All the molars showed two orifices in the mesiobuccal root, these exhibiting differences in morphology and disposition. Seven point two percent of the cases displayed an infundibulum at the deepest part of the floor including two canals. In 21.4% of cases, these had two clearly separated orifices, while in 71.4% they displayed a groove at whose ends both orifices were located. The explicit findings concerning the mesiolingual canal indicate the need to detect this groove systematically and when its existence is confirmed it should be carefully explored. Detailed knowledge of the anatomical variations should facilitate identification of the orifices.

Keywords: anatomical variation, article, infundibulum, maxilla, molar tooth, scanning electron microscopy

European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)