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The shape and location of mandibular premolar access openings
Author(s) -
WILCOX L. R.,
WALTON R. E.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
international endodontic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.988
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1365-2591
pISSN - 0143-2885
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2591.1987.tb00618.x
Subject(s) - premolar , pulp (tooth) , orthodontics , dentistry , groove (engineering) , medicine , materials science , molar , metallurgy
Summary. Access openings for mandibular premolars have invariably been shown in textbook diagrams to be wide ovals centered over the central groove. This study examined 100 mandibular premolars to evaluate this access outline. Pulp dimensions and locations were determined from radiographs in order to evaluate the relationship of the pulp canal to landmarks on the occlusal surface of the tooth. The results showed that in 96 per cent of teeth the pulp was narrower mesiodistally than 1.4 mm, and in the majority of premolars the pulp lay under the lingual triangular ridge of the buccal cusp. Therefore, the entire pulp would usually be accessible by a narrow opening with a lingual termination at the central groove.