Periapical radiolucencies in healthy human mandibular molars with fused roots - Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the possible prevalence of periapical radiolucencies related to healthy mandibular molars with fused roots.
Material and Methods: Full mouth series consisting of periapical films of 731 patients were evaluated. The following data was recorded for each patient: gender; total number
of mandibular 1st and 2nd molars; number and location of molars with fused roots; and number and location of healthy fused-rooted molars with periapical radiolucency. Only the
patients with radiographically healthy molars were included in the study (teeth with absence of radiographically visible deep caries or filling materials).
Results: Of all the 1st and 2nd molars (2924) in the study, 82 (2.8%) had complete radiographic display of root fusion. Adding fused-rooted third molars brought the number
to 133. Of the 133 fused-rooted healthy molars (including 3rd molars) 44 manifested periapical radiolucency (33.08%), including 2 of 3 1st molars, 22 of 79 2nd molars, and 20 of
51 3rd molars (P > .05).
Conclusion: Periapical radiolucencies associated with human, healthy mandibular molars with fused roots exist, and they are not uncommon. Therefore, it is important to do a
thorough clinical and radiographic assessment when evaluating pulpal and periapical status of lower molars with fused roots.