Morphology of the physiological apical foramen of maxillary premolars / Morfología del foramen apical de premolares maxilares

SUMMARY: The purpose of this study was to determine the shape and diameter of the physiological foramen in maxillary premolars of a Chilean population. The sample consisted of 125 extracted maxillary premolars, in which the apical three to five millimeters were cut and observed under magnification of 40x, photographed (Motic Cam), and analyzed using Motic Images Plus 2.0 ML in order to obtain measurements of the minor and major diameter of each physiological foramen. The average minor and major diameter in maxillary premolars was 0.270 and 0.413 mm, respectively. In terms of shape, 72.19 % had oval shaped physiological foramen; 18.93 % were irregularly shaped and 8.88 % were round. Oval and irregular canals are significantly more difficult to shape and require special attention in order to obtain a thoroughly disinfected root canal system.

RESUMEN: El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la forma y el diámetro del foramen fisiológico de premolares maxilares en una población Chilena. La muestra consistió en 125 premolares maxilares extraídos, a los que se cortó de 3 a 5 milímetros apicales, fueron observados bajo magnificación de 40x, fotografiado (Motic Cam) y analizados utilizando Motic Images Plus 2.0 ML para obtener las mediciones de el diámetro menor y mayor de cada foramen fisiológico. El promedio del diámetro menor y mayor en premolares maxilares fue de 0,270 y 0,413 mm respectivamente. En cuanto a la forma 72,19 % tenía el foramen fisiológico de forma oval; 18,93 % tenía forma irregular y 8,88 % fue redondo. Canales ovales e irregulares son significativamente más difíciles de conformar y requieren especial atención para obtener una adecuada desinfección del sistema de canales radiculares.

Morphology of the physiological apical foramen in maxillary and mandibular first molars / Morfología del foramen fisiológico apical en primeros molares maxilares y mandibulares

Information regarding the anatomy of the physiological apical foramen is limited. Knowing its diameter and shapes contributes to clinical work, specifically to the cleaning and shaping of the apical third. The aim of this ex vivo study was to determine the minimum and maximum diameters and shape of the physiological apical foramen in the roots of maxillary and mandibular first molars. A descriptive study was conducted on 89 recently extracted first molars. Roots 3-5 mm from the apex were sectioned and prepared for analysis at 40x magnification. The minimum and maximum diameters of each physiological foramen were measured using the program Motic Images plus 2.0 ML. The shape of the foramina, classified as round, oval or irregular, was determined by the difference between the maximum and minimum diameters. A total of 174 physiological foramina were analyzed. The average of the minimum and maximum diameters was between 0.24-0.33 mm in maxillary first molars and between 0.25-0.33 mm in mandibular first molars. In maxillary molars, the most common shape of the foramen was oval (50%), then irregular (32%), then round (18%). In mandibular molars, the oval shape was also the most frequent (59%), followed by irregular (23%) and round (18%). The findings of this study regarding the morphology of physiological apical foramina in first molars make it easier for the operator to choose the appropriately-sized instruments to perform endodontic therapy successfully.

La información relacionada a la anatomía del foramen fisiológico apical es limitada. Conocer su diámetro y forma contribuye al trabajo clínico, específicamente en los procedimientos de limpieza y conformación del tercio apical. El objetivo de este estudio ex vivo fue determinar los diámetros menor, mayor y la forma del foramen fisiológico apical en las raíces de primeros molares maxilares y mandibulares. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo sobre 89 primeros molares recientemente extraídos. Se seccionaron las raíces a 3­5 mm del ápice y fueron preparadas para su análisis bajo magnificación de 40X. Se midieron los diámetros mayor y menor de cada foramen fisiológico mediante el programa Motic Images plus 2.0 ML. La forma de los forámenes fue determinada de acuerdo a la diferencia entre diámetro mayor y menor, clasificándose como redondo, oval o irregular. Un total de 174 forámenes fisiológicos fueron analizados. El promedio del diámetro menor y mayor fue entre 0,24­0,33 mm en primeros molares maxilares y entre 0,25­0,33 mm en primeros molares mandibulares. En molares maxilares, la forma del foramen más común fue la oval (50%), luego irregular (32%) y redonda (18%). En molares mandibulares, la forma oval también fue la más frecuente (59%), seguida por la irregular (23%) y redonda (18%). Los hallazgos de este estudio en relación a morfología de los forámenes fisiológicos apicales en primeros molares, permite al operador facilitar la elección de instrumentos del calibre adecuado para realizar con éxito la terapia endodóntica.

Morphology of the apical root canal system in Korean mandibular first molar / 대한치과보존학회지

The aim of this study was to investigate the shapes and diameters of the physiological foramen and anatomy of the root canal at 3mm from apex in mandibular first molars. Sixty mandibular first molars were randomly selected. The apical anatomy of 60 mandibular first molars was investigated by means of a stereomicroscope (60x magnification). The results were as follows; 1. There was a high percentage of two physiological foramina in mesial (61.67%) and one foramen in distal(71.66%) roots of mandibular first molars. 2.There was a high frequency of accessory foramina in mesial roots with one foramen (26.07%). 3. The diameters of physiological foramen was as follows: 0.329mm in single mesial foramen. 0.266mm in mesiobuccal foramen and 0.246mm in mesiolingual foramen. 0.375mm in single distal foramen. 0.291mm in distobuccal foramen and 0.237mm in distolingual foramen. 4. The most common physiological foramen shape was oval (69.93%). 5. The incidence of isthmus in mesial root at 3mm from apex was 55%. The 3mm-sections contained a complete isthmus 31.66% and a partial isthmus 23.34%. 6. 3mm from the apex, the most common canal shape was oval (50.64%). Knowledge of the apical anatomy of mandibular first molar would be necessary for success of surgical and nonsurgical endodontic treatment.