ABSTRACT

Tooth loss as a result of periodontal disease is more frequently encountered in first and second molars in comparison to other tooth types due to complexity of the furcation regions of multi-rooted teeth. Furcation entrance dimension (FED) and root trunk length (RTL) of these teeth affect either treatment procedure or prognosis considerably. The aims of our study are to morphologically evaluate the FED and RTL of upper and lower first and second molars classified with respect to gender and to search whether a difference exists in the FED and RTL between men and women. The study was performed on 320 teeth extracted due to various reasons from patients applied to GATA Haydarpaşa Education Hospital Dental Service. Teeth were classified as to menwomen, upper-lower, 1st molar -2nd molar and 8 groups were constituted each comprising 40 teeth. Digital images were obtained under stereomicroscope and transferred to a computer in order to perform FED and RTL measurements. Firstly FED and RTL values belonging to different sides of the teeth were compared followed by comparison of FED and RTL values of the teeth belonging to different gender. According to our findings, FEDs of 1st and 2nd molars in both jaws belonging to women were statistically narrower than those belonging to men. RTL of 2nd molars of women were statistically longer than those of men.