Morphometric Analysis Comparing Human Mandibular Deciduous Molars using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

BACKGROUND: The presence of variations in crown and root measurements in deciduous teeth usually leads to complications during and after treatment. Hence, in order to improve the success rate in pediatric treatment, there must be proper knowledge of dental morphological and morphometric characteristics of deciduous teeth among different populations. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess length of the crowns, length of the roots, roots to crown (R/C) ratio, and distance between the floor of pulp chamber to furcation using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Extracted deciduous molar teeth were collected and divided into: group I: Deciduous mandibular first molars (lower D) (n = 16) and Group II: Deciduous mandibular second molars (lower E) (n = 21). The length of the crowns, length of the roots, R/C ratio and distance between the floor of pulp chamber and furcation were measured using CBCT. Data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Lower D showed smaller crown length with a mean of 4.87 mm, longer mesial root length with a mean of 9.68 mm and greater R/C ratio with a mean of 2 mm when compared to lower E. As for the distal root length and the distance between the floor of the pulp chamber and the furcation area, both molars closely resembled each other. There was a statistical significant difference between both molars regarding mesial root length, crown length, and R/C ratio. CONCLUSION: The current study concluded that dental morphological characteristics are important in research as they provide valuable information about diversities within a population.