Furcation involvement in periodontal disease has been a challenge for the dentist. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate root dimensions in the furcation area of 233 mandibular first molars. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Digital photomicrographs were used to obtain the following measurements on the buccal and lingual surfaces of each tooth: root trunk height (RT), horizontal interadicular distance obtained 1 mm (D1) and 2 mm (D2) below the fornix and interadicular angle (IA). RESULTS: Mean± standard deviation of buccal and lingual furcation measurements were, respectively, 1.37±0.78 mm and 2.04±0.89 mm for RT; 0.86±0.39 mm and 0.71±0.42 mm for D1; 1.50±0.48 mm and 1.38±0.48 mm for D2; 41.68±13.20° and 37.78±13.18° for IA. Statistically significant differences were found between all measured parameters for buccal and lingual sides (p<0.05, paired t test). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the lingual furcation of mandibular first molars presented narrower entrance and longer root trunk than the buccal furcation, suggesting more limitation for instrumentation and worse prognosis to lingual furcation involvements in comparison to buccal lesions.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship among the point of greatest depression on the root trifurcation floor and the furcation openings of the maxillary second molars. Sixty human extracted upper permanent second molars were analyzed and the furcation area were measured using a vertical calliper, and the values regarding the point of deepest depression were recorded. The results showed that the deepest depression in the trifurcation floor of the roots is centrally situated in 11.7% of the cases, whereas 88.3% involve mesial-buccal and distal-buccal roots. The distal furcation (F3) had the largest distance from the point of deepest depression in the trifurcation floor (A), followed by the buccal (F1) and mesial (F2) furcations when point A was below their respective openings. On the other hand, the medial furcation (F2) had the largest distance from point A, followed by distal (F3) and buccal (F1) furcations when point A was above their respective openings.

El presente estudio examinó la relación entre el punto de mayor depresión del suelo de la trifurcación de la raíz y la apertura de furcas en los segundos molares superiores. Sesenta segundos molares permanentes extraídos de humanos fueron analizados. El área de furca se midió utilizando un calibrador digital adaptado y valores sobre el punto de mayor depresión fueron registrados. Los resultados mostraron que la mayor depresión esta en el centro del suelo de las raíces en el 11,7% de los casos, mientras que 88,3% cubren las raíces mesio-vestibular y disto-vestibular. El punto de mayor depresión en el suelo de la trifurcación (A) presentó la mayor distancia desde la bifurcación distal (F3), seguido por la vestibular (F1) y mesial (F2) cuando el punto estaba por debajo de sus respectivas aperturas. Además, la bifurcación mesial (F2) presentó la mayor distancia desde el punto A, seguido por distal (F3) y vestibular (F1), cuando el punto A estaba por encima de sus respectivas aperturas.

A eletromiografia é frequentemente utilizada para mensurar a atividade dos músculos mastigatórios. Esta análise exige a colocação precisa dos eletrodos, o que requer a localização exata do músculo a ser avaliado. O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a acurácia de um método externo para localização do músculo bucinador. Quinze cadáveres humanos foram avaliados e planos foram determinados na face utilizando-se pontos de referência anatômicos. Um ângulo (a) foi obtido na interseção desses planos no ponto central do músculo bucinador e foi medido com um transferidor. O valor do ângulo permite localizar o ponto central do músculo bucinador baseado nos pontos de referência anatômicos da face. A análise estatística dos dados obtidos indicou um ângulo de 90º com 95% de confiabilidade, confirmando dessa forma a eficácia do método proposto.

Electromyography is frequently used to measure the activity of masticatory muscles. It requires the precise setting of the electrodes, which demands the accurate location of the muscle to be evaluated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of an external method to locate the buccinator muscle. Fifteen human cadavers were evaluated and planes were determined on the face using anatomic landmarks. An angle (a) was obtained at the intersection of these planes on the central point of buccinator muscle and measured with a protractor. The value of the angle allows locating the central point of buccinator muscle based on anatomic landmarks on the face. Statistical analysis of the collected data indicated an angle of 90º with 95% reliability, thus proving the efficacy of the proposed method.

Nos dentes multirradiculares, é comum se observar uma alta taxa de exposição radicular e, conseqüentemente, a exposição da região de furca. Nos molares superiores, esse fato pode afetar as três furcas existentes (vestibular, mesial e distal), ocasionando sérias dificuldades. Nesta pesquisa, foram estabelecidas medidas de distâncias da abertura da furca vestibular em relação às faces mesial (F1M) e distal (F1D) das raízes mésio-vestibular e disto-vestibular; da furca mesial em relação às faces vestibular (F2V) e palatina (F2P) das raízes mésio-vestibular e palatina e da furca distal em relação às faces vestibular (F3V) e palatina (F3P) das raízes disto-vestibular e palatina, respectivamente. Foram utilizados 100 primeiros molares superiores, separados respectivamente em 50 do lado direito e 50 do lado esquerdo. Medidas de referência e demarcações foram realizadas nas furcas e também nas superfícies radiculares adjacentes. Concluímos que essas mensurações são importantes porque contribuem eficientemente para o diagnóstico, a prevenção e o tratamento de problemas periodontais.

A high rate of root exposure and consequently the exposure of the furcation area is usually observed in multirooted teeth. In maxillary molar teeth, this fact may endanger the three existent furcations (buccal, mesial and distal), causing serious problems. In this research, distance measures from the buccal furcation to the mesial (F1M) and distal (F1D) surfaces of the mesio-buccal and disto-buccal roots; from the mesial furcation to the buccal (F2B) and palatal (F2P) surfaces of the mesio-buccal and palatal roots and from the distal furcation to the buccal (F3B) and palatal (F3P) surfaces of the disto-buccal and palatal roots, respectively were established. One hundred maxillary first molar teeth were used, 50 of the right and 50 of the left side. Reference marks and demarcations were determined on the furcations and also on the root surfaces involved in the measures. We concluded that these measurements are important because they may effectivelly contribute to diagnosis, prevention and treatment of periodontal problems.

OBJETIVO: Devido à importância da cicatrização dos defeitos que venham a acometer os tecidos ósseos, este estudo tem o objetivo de avaliar a ação do polímero de mamona durante a neoformação óssea. MÉTODOS: Para isto, um grupo de 45 ratos foi utilizado. Realizou-se a criação de um defeito ósseo na região do arco zigomático de todos os animais, sendo que todos estes defeitos foram preenchidos com o polímero de mamona. Decorridos períodos de 15, 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias, os animais foram sacrificados e seguiram-se as tramitações laboratoriais de rotina para análise histológica. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que o polímero de mamona auxiliou no processo cicatricial. CONCLUSÃO: Concluiu-se que o polímero de mamona auxiliou no processo regenerativo do defeito ósseo criado experimentalmente, atuando como um agente osteocondutor.

PURPOSE: Due the importance of the faults healing which may undertake bone tissues, this study has the purpose of evaluate the action of the castor bean polymer during the bone neoformation. METHODS: For this, a group of 45 rats was used. So, a bone fault was created on the region of the zygomatic arch of all animals, and these faults were filled out with the castor bean polymer. Elapsed periods of 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days, the animals were sacrificed and the current laboratorial course for the histological analysis proceeded as usual. RESULTS: The results showed that the castor bean polymer helped in the healing process. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the castor bean polymer aided in the regenerative process of the bone fault that was created experimentally, acting as an osteoconducter agent.