Root trunk height of maxillary and mandibular permanent first molars in Iraqis (a pilot study)

Abstract

Although the Root Trunk Height (RTH) as a variable in different racial groups was extensively studied, but its relation to the presence and absence of other anatomical abnormalities as Cervical Enamel Projection (CEP) never been tested. On the other hand, data focused on this variable in our community are not available. So the aim of this pilot study is to provide a base line data on this important anatomical variable (RTH) in our community and to calculate its possible correlation to the presence of (CEP). In this study (242) extracted permanent molars (126 maxillary first molar and 116 mandibular first molar) were collected from the dental clinics of Al-Mustansiriya teaching hospital /college of dentistry. RTH for each tooth was measured and presence of CEP was recorded. Results of this research showed that that mean values of RTH of permanent first molars in Iraqis were comparable with that found in other countries. On the other hand, there is a highly significant relation between the RTH and presence of CEP on buccal and mesial aspects of maxillary first molar and buccal aspect of mandibular first molar, while this relation is not significant on distal aspect of maxillary first molar and lingual aspect of mandibular first molar.