EX VIVO INVESTIGATION OF THE ANATOMICAL DIAMETER OF THE MESIOPALATAL CANAL OF HUMAN MAXILLARY FIRST MOLARS

Abstract

The aim was to investigate ex vivo the anatomical diameter and taper of the mesiopalatine canal of maxillary first molars. To this end, thirty-three human maxillary first molars were accessed, explored to confirm the existence of the mesiopalatine canal, identified, their mesiobuccal roots transversely sectioned at three levels and then the fragments were photographed using a digital microscope, which allowed the anatomical diameters of this canal to be determined in each sample. The results were calculated according to the mean and standard deviation values of the diameters at each level, obtaining 0.20 mm and ±0.09 mm (cervical level), 0.20 mm and ±0.08 mm (middle level) and 0.17 mm and ±0.06 mm (apical level) respectively. Under the conditions of this study, given the atresic nature and low taper of the mesiopalatine canal, it is suggested that instruments with a minimum tip diameter of 0.25 mm and a taper of 0.03 should be used for its preparation.