Root surface measurements of the mandibular first molar.

The root surface area (RSA) per millimeter of root length was determined for 20 extracted mandibular first molars. The molars were cross-sectioned at 1-mm increments, and each section photographed, projected and measured with a calibrated opisometer. The RSA and per cent RSA were calculated for each 1 mm of root length (1-mm section), the root trunk and the individual roots. Also measured was the location of the root separations from the root trunk, the location of the first detectable root concavity, and the prevalence of "intermediate bifurcation ridges" (IBRs). Mean measurements indicated that the greatest RSA per millimeter of root length was 4 to 7 mm apical to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) in the area of the furcation. Of the total RSA, 48.7% was located in the coronal 6 mm of a root (mean length, 14.4 mm). Root separation occurred 4.0 mm apical to the CEJ with no tooth having a root trunk longer than 6 mm. Buccal and lingual root concavities were first present 0.7 mm and 0.3 mm apical to the CEJ, respectively. Fourteen (70%) of the 20 teeth had IBRs. According to the mean measurements, the mesial root was larger than the distal root by a ratio of 1.0:0.88. Horizontal attachment loss of 6 mm affecting both the buccal and lingual surfaces of the mandibular first molar would have resulted in a through and through (grade 3) furcation involvement of all the teeth studied.