BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the variations in pulp chamber topography is very useful to the dentist while performing endodontic access cavity in primary teeth. AIM: To determine the horizontal crown dimensions and the pulp chamber topography of shedding maxillary primary molars in a sample of Tunisian children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty two maxillary primary molars (24 first and 18 second molars) were used. Teeth were ultrasonically cleaned before taking morphometric measurements of the buccolingual and mesiodistal sizes. Statistical student test was used comparing the mean sizes. RESULTS: All the crown measurements were higher in the second molar. While the buccolingual dimension of the pulp chamber was higher in the second molar, the mesiodistal sizes were equivalent among the teeth. The thickest walls were in the buccal side of the first molar and in the mesial side of the second one. The ratio of several measurements indicate that the pulp cavity is more vestibularly and distally located in the second molar. CONCLUSION: Mesiodistal dimension of the pulp cavity is not proportional to that of the dental crown. Endodontic access cavity have to be shifted to the distal and vestibular sides from the first to the second upper molar.
BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the variations in pulp chamber topography is very useful to the dentist while performing endodontic access cavity in primary teeth. AIM: To determine the horizontal crown dimensions and the pulp chamber topography of shedding maxillary primary molars in a sample of Tunisian children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty two maxillary primary molars (24 first and 18 second molars) were used. Teeth were ultrasonically cleaned before taking morphometric measurements of the buccolingual and mesiodistal sizes. Statistical student test was used comparing the mean sizes. RESULTS: All the crown measurements were higher in the second molar. While the buccolingual dimension of the pulp chamber was higher in the second molar, the mesiodistal sizes were equivalent among the teeth. The thickest walls were in the buccal side of the first molar and in the mesial side of the second one. The ratio of several measurements indicate that the pulp cavity is more vestibularly and distally located in the second molar. CONCLUSION: Mesiodistal dimension of the pulp cavity is not proportional to that of the dental crown. Endodontic access cavity have to be shifted to the distal and vestibular sides from the first to the second upper molar.