Shape and number of the roots of the permanent molar teeth.

One hundred ninety-eight mandibular first molars, 198 mandibular second molars, and 122 mandibular third molars, extracted from 99 Indian skulls were examined for the number of dental roots. The number of mandibular molar roots is increased by the appearance of the distolingual root, accessory lingual root, and bifurcation of the mesial root. The bifurcation of the mesial root was investigated in teeth in which it was more than 1/3 and less than 1/3 (apical bifurcation) of the root length. The following results were obtained. The numbers of the roots including apical bifurcation of the mesial root were 2, 3 and 4 in 72.7%, 26.8% and 0.5%, respectively, of the first molars; 1, 2 and 3 in 17.7%, 76.8% and 5.6%, respectively, of the second molars; and 1, 2 and 3 in 16.4%, 77.1% and 5.8%, respectively, of the third molars. The numbers of dental roots excluding apical bifurcation of the mesial root were 2 and 3 in 99.0% and 1.0%, respectively, of the first molars; 1, 2 and 3 in 17.7%, 81.8% and 0.5%, respectively, of the second molars; and 1, 2 and 3 in 16.4%, 77.1% and 5.8%, respectively, of the third molars.