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Updated: May 15, 2026
Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Accessory foramina in the furcation area of primary molars. A SEM investigation
P F Lugliè1, V Grabesu, G Spano
1Dental School, School of dentistry, University of Sassari, Italy. pfluglie@uniss.it
Aim:
The accessory canals in the furcation of primary molars can explain the frequent presence of radiolucency in the furcation area in case of pulpitis and necrosis of teeth. In fact these canals can represent a communication between periodontium and pulp tissue allowing bacteria to enter. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of foramina in the furcation area of primary molars.
Materials And Methods:
The presence of foramina was assessed using extracted deciduous molars examined with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) evaluation. Thirty extracted human primary molars (15 upper deciduous molars and 15 lower deciduous molars) were selected to evaluate the presence of extra foramina in their furcation. All teeth were prepared according to Koenigs' technique: the roots were cut in the furcation area perpendicular to the canals (1.5 mm apical to the external surface of the furcation and 1 mm apical to the cervical line) and then analysed with an electronic scanning microscope.
Results And Conclusion:
This study demonstrated that 23 teeth (77% of the samples) had one or more extra foramina near the furcation.
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