Sains Malaysiana 42(1)(2013): 81–84

Frequency, Size and Location of Apical and Lateral Foramina in Anterior Permanent Teeth

(Frekuensi, Saiz dan Lokasi Foramen Apeks dan Lateral pada Gigi Anterior)

D.A. Abdullah, S. Kanagasingam* & D.A. Luke

Department of Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Received: 19 January 2012/Accepted: 8 June 2012

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to determine the frequency, size and location of apical and lateral foramina on anterior teeth. A total of 100 anterior teeth consisting of maxillary and mandibular incisors and canines were fixed in 10% formalin. Periodontal tissue remnants were mechanically removed and teeth were stained in 2% aqueous silver nitrate. The teeth were dried and examined using a Leica MZ 7.5 zoom stereomicroscope. The size of apical and lateral foramina and their distance from the anatomical apex of the tooth were measured directly using a calibrated eyepiece scale. Accessory foramina more than 1.8 mm from the apex were regarded as lateral foramina. Eighteen percent of teeth possessed more than one apical foramen. Seven teeth (three maxillary centrals, three maxillary canines, one mandibular lateral) had 11 lateral foramina each. The mean diameter of the lateral foramina was 0.14 mm (SD = 0.08) and their mean distance from the apex was 4.49 mm (SD = 2.63, range 1.9-10.5 mm). Multiple foramina were most common on maxillary canines and least common on maxillary laterals. The mean diameter of apical foramina for all teeth possessing a single foramen was 0.35 mm (SD = 0.10) and the mean apical foramen diameter for all teeth with multiple apical foramina was 0.22 mm (SD = 0.08). Most anterior teeth possess one apical foramen and no lateral foramina; about 20% possessed more than one apical foramen and about 10% possessed one or more lateral foramina. These findings should be considered when root-treating anterior teeth.

Keywords: Apical foramen; canine; incisor; root

ABSTRAK

Matlamat kajian adalah untuk menentukan frekuensi, saiz dan lokasi foramen apeks dan foramen lateral pada gigi anterior. Satu ratus gigi anterior yang terdiri daripada gigi insisor maksila dan mandibel serta kanin telah direndam dalam 10% formalin. Sisa-sisa tisu periodontium dibuang dan gigi-gigi kemudiannya diwarnakan menggunakan larutan akueus argentum nitrat 2%. Gigi-gigi tersebut dikeringkan dan diperiksa di bawah stereomikroskop Leica MZ 7.5 zoom. Saiz foramen apeks dan lateral berserta jarak dari apeks anatomi diukur menggunakan skala kanta mata yang telah ditentu ukur. Foramen aksesori yang melebihi 1.8 mm dari apeks dianggap sebagai foramen lateral. Didapati 18% gigi mempunyai lebih daripada satu foramen apeks. Tujuh gigi (tiga gigi insisor sentral maksila, tiga kanin maksila dan satu gigi insisor lateral mandibel) mempunyai 11 foramen lateral. Min diameter foramen lateral adalah 0.14 mm (SD = 0.08) dan jarak min dari apeks adalah 4.49 mm (SD = 2.63, julat 1.9-10.5 mm). Lebih daripada satu foramen paling kerap dijumpai pada gigi kanin maksila dan paling jarang pada insisor lateral maksila. Min diameter untuk foramen apeks bagi semua gigi dengan satu foramen adalah 0.35 mm (SD = 0.10); min diameter bagi foramen apeks bagi semua gigi dengan berbilang foramen adalah 0.22 mm (SD = 0.08). Kesimpulannya, kebanyakan gigi anterior mempunyai lebih daripada satu foramen apeks dan tiada foramen lateral. Sebanyak 20% mempunyai lebih dari satu foramen apeks dan 10% mempunyai satu atau lebih daripada satu foramen lateral. Maklumat ini perlu dipertimbangkan ketika menjalankan rawatan akar gigi anterior.

Kata kunci: Akar; foramen apeks; incisor; kanin

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*Corresponding author; email: skr38@hotmail.com