Eur J Anat, 23 (1): 17-25 (2019)

Morphometric study on single-root premolars in a European population sample: an update on lengths and diameters

Sara Bernardi¹, Serena Bianchi¹, Giulia Fantozzi², Cinzia Leuter¹, Maria Adelaide Continenza¹, Guido Macchiarelli¹

¹Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of Lâ??Aquila, Italy, ²Private Dental Hygienist, Pescara, Italy

ABSTRACT External dental root morphology knowledge is fundamental for the implication in periodontal and implant dentistry branches. So far the literature available presents a few and not updated studies regarding this particular topic. The aim of this study is to investigate the morphometry of external gross anatomy of single-rooted premolars, focusing on length and tapering parameters. One hundred seventy four extracted teeth of European origin were used to measure the root length and diameter on the 4 radicular surfaces, starting from the cement- enamel junction to the root apex. Data were statistically analyzed with descriptive measures and any statistical significance (p value <0.05) was evaluated by means of T-student test. The length of the single-root mandibular and maxillary premolars resulted to be higher than those reported in literature. The data regarding the tapering showed a pronounced lowering of the diameter root from the middle point of the root. In addition, the single-rooted premolar showed to own an oval-shaped root characterized, in both arches, by a high variability, confirming the data reported in literature. The present morphometric study providing analytical data regarding the length, the tapering and the high variability of the single-root premolar highlights the need of an accurate knowledge of the root anatomy for a correct therapeutic approach in the daily clinical practice.

Keywords: Dental root morphology â?? Radicular length â?? Premolars â?? Single-rooted â?? Morphometry