5 Roots In Molar

The root of each tooth descends below the gum line, into the jaw. Teeth Conditions. Cavities (caries): Bacteria evade removal by brushing and saliva and damage the enamel and deeper structures of. A molar root canal may take a couple of hours. X-rays are taken of the infected tooth to establish how many canals are present and where the work will be done. Molars can have two to four canals and may require multiple visits. In some cases antibiotics may be given prior to, during, or after the molar root canal procedure.

1. 5 Roots In Molar Formula
2. 5 Roots In A Molar
3. 5 Roots In Molar Volume
4. 5 Roots In Molar Mass
5. 5 Roots In Tooth

One of the most dreaded medical procedures is having a tooth extracted. The thought of sitting in a dentist's chair under anesthesia scares some people more than the bloodiest horror film. But it's not nearly as horrific as it sounds. Tooth and tooth root extraction is a common surgery, one with few complications and minimal pain.

A tooth may have to be extracted due to various dental concerns. Periodontal disease, also known as advanced gingivitis, can cause a tooth to become separated from the gum and bone that holds the tooth within the socket [source: WebMD]. Once this happens, the tooth needs to be removed to prevent even more infection. Also, if you play a sport or sustain an injury to the mouth, one or more teeth can be knocked loose to the point that they need to be taken out avoid further complications.

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There are also basic orthodontic reasons to have a tooth extracted. Baby teeth that crowd a mouth often mean adult teeth will also be crowded. And while some people seem to have enough room in their mouths for wisdom teeth to come through completely, dentists often extract them because they're difficult to reach with a toothbrush and floss, which increases the risk of tooth decay.

Other reasons why a person may have a tooth extracted include [source: Colgate]:

• A person who has a high risk of infection due to an organ transplant, receiving cancer drugs or is under immunosuppressive therapy. People with transplants or serious illnesses are highly susceptible to infection. Even if there's only a small chance a tooth may become a problem, it must be taken care of immediately.
• Children needing braces may need baby teeth removed to help their adult teeth come in straight. This is sometimes considered a cosmetic procedure, but it allows for braces to work more efficiently.

Both baby and adult teeth 'erupt' (the formal name for teeth coming in the mouth) when they come all the way in through the gums. According to Dr. Jeremy Rosenberg, a dentist in Atlanta, Ga., teeth that need to be extracted fall into two categories -- fully impacted or partially impacted. Full impaction means the tooth is under the gum and completely covered by the jawbone. A partially impacted tooth means the tooth is partially covered by some bone and gum tissue. A tooth is always completely removed, roots and all. Dr. Rosenberg said that occasionally, a small fragment of root may break off and is left in the bone if it will cause trauma to the area to remove it. He explained that the body forms bone around it and heals normally. However, this doesn't happen often, and the root piece has to be very small to be left in the mouth.

Now you know why teeth are extracted. On the next page, learn how they're removed and by whom.

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A general dentist or specialized surgeon of the mouth, called an oral or maxillofacial surgeon, will perform tooth and tooth root extractions [source: WebMD]. Some general dentists don't like to extract teeth, so they'll refer all extractions to an oral surgeon. Periodontists (dentists who specialize in treating periodontal disease) and cosmetic dentists may also perform tooth extractions [source: AAP].

Your dentist or oral surgeon will first determine the difficulty of the tooth extraction, based on the condition and position of the tooth (such as if it's fully or partially impacted). A tooth with advanced periodontal disease, for example, is easier to extract than a healthy tooth with long roots because the tooth and gums surrounding it have deteriorated so much. Wisdom teeth generally have their own issues for removal, including teeth that have already come through the gums; soft-tissue impaction, where the tooth is lying under the gum; partial-bony impacted, where the tooth is partially erupted and partially stuck in the jaw; and full-bony impacted, where the tooth is completely stuck in the jaw [source: WebMD].

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There are two types of tooth and tooth root removal procedures. The first one is called a simple extraction, which is performed on a tooth that has already erupted. A dentist uses forceps or a 'dental elevator' placed between the gum and tooth, to loosen it and remove it completely [source: Colgate]. There is usually no cutting into the gum during this procedure. The second type of tooth removal is called a 'surgical extraction,' where an oral surgeon needs to cut into the gum line to expose the tooth and roots for extraction.

5 Roots In Molar Formula

Most tooth extractions are done with the same local anesthetic used when filling a cavity. According to Dr. Rosenberg, it's usually up to the patient to decide if he prefers sedation in addition to local anesthesia. Sedation methods include nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas), an IV sedative that goes directly into the patient's bloodstream or an oral sedative [source: WebMD]. A dentist may recommend general anesthesia instead of local if several teeth will be removed in the same surgery or if the patient has significant anxiety over the procedure. If general anesthesia is used, another person is needed to accompany the patient home after the procedure.

Next up, learn how to care for your mouth after a tooth has been removed.

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Overall, there isn't much risk associated with tooth extractions, but as with any medical procedure, there is always the chance of complications. With tooth extraction, complications may include delayed healing, infection, numbness of the mouth and dry sockets. With a dry socket, the protective blood clot that forms over the extraction site either dissolves or moves, which leaves the tooth socket (or bone) exposed to everything you put in your mouth, and can be extremely painful [source: WebMD]. Dry sockets are treated with pain relievers, rinses or other treatments from your dentist.

There is a standard after-care regimen for patients who have teeth extracted. Dr. Rosenberg recommends that patients gently bite down on gauze to stop any bleeding post-surgery and then begin saltwater rinses the day after extraction. He also advises patients to continuing rinsing after each meal for a week or two after surgery, which will kill bacteria and flush any food debris that may get stuck in the extraction site. Antibiotics and pain medicine may also be given if the person needs it; otherwise, it's just a matter of time for the body to heal itself.

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Other things you can to do make sure your mouth heals properly include [source: ADA]:

• Eat soft foods and liquids such as soup, gelatin, oatmeal and pudding for a couple of days. This will allow the site to heal without traumatizing the extraction site through biting or chewing.
• Avoid smoking and using straws (sucking in air can be painful to the wound and lead to dry sockets).
• Gently brush your teeth, and avoid directly brushing the healing socket until you feel the area is strong enough for full pressure.

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Related Articles

Sources

• American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). 'What is a Periodontist?' (Sept. 29, 2011) http://www.perio.org/consumer/periodontist2.htm
• American Dental Association (ADA). 'Tooth Extraction.' (Sept. 8, 2011) http://www.ada.org/2926.aspx
• Colgate. 'Tooth Extraction.' (Sept. 20, 2011) http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/Oral-and-Dental-Health-Basics/Checkups-and-Dental-Procedures/Tooth-Removal-Extraction/article/Tooth-Extraction.cvsp
• Edmonds, Molly. 'Are people without wisdom teeth more highly evolved?' (Sept. 29, 2011) https://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/parts/no-wisdom-teeth2.htm
• Rosenberg, Jeremy, D.D.S. Dentist in Atlanta, Ga. Personal correspondence. Sept. 18, 2011.
• WebMD. 'An Overview of Dry Socket.' (Sept. 29, 2011) http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dry-socket-symptoms-and-treatment
• WebMD. 'Dental Health and Wisdom Teeth.' (Sept. 29, 2011) http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/wisdom-teeth
• WebMD. 'Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)' (Sept. 29, 2011) http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/gingivitis-periodontal-disease
• WebMD. 'Tooth Extraction.' (Sept. 29, 2011) http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tooth-extraction

12 The Permanent Mandibular Molars

5 Roots In A Molar

Figures 12-1 through 12-17 illustrate the mandibular first molar from all aspects. Normally, the mandibular first molar is the largest tooth in the mandibular arch. It has five well-developed cusps: two buccal, two lingual, and one distal (see Figure 12-1). It has two well-developed roots, one mesial and one distal, which are very broad buccolingually. These roots are widely separated at the apices.

The dimension of the crown mesiodistally is greater by about 1 mm than the dimension buccolingually (Table 12-1). Although the crown is relatively short cervico-occlusally, it has mesiodistal and buccolingual measurements that provide a broad occlusal form.

The mesial root is broad and curved distally, with mesial and distal fluting that provides the anchorage of two roots (see Figure 13-22). The distal root is rounder, broad at the cervical portion, and pointed in a distal direction. The formation of these roots and their positions in the mandible serve to brace the crown of the tooth efficiently against the lines of force that might be brought to bear against it.

From the buccal aspect, the crown of the mandibular first molar is roughly trapezoidal, with cervical and occlusal outlines representing the uneven sides of the trapezoid. The occlusal side is the longer (see Figures 12-3, 12-4, 12-12, 12-13, and 12–14).

Two developmental grooves appear on the crown portion. These grooves are called the mesiobuccal developmental groove and the distobuccal developmental groove. The first-named groove acts as a line of demarcation between the mesiobuccal lobe and the distobuccal lobe. The latter groove separates the distobuccal lobe from the distal lobe (see Figures 12-2 and 12-3).

The mesiobuccal, distobuccal, and distal cusps are relatively flat. These cusp ridges show less curvature than those of any of the teeth described so far. The distal cusp, which is small, is more pointed than either of the buccal cusps. Flattened buccal cusps are typical of all mandibular molars. In most first molar specimens the buccal cusps are worn considerably, with the buccal cusp ridges almost at the same level. Before they are worn, the buccal cusps and the distal cusp have curvatures that are characteristic of each one (see Figures 12-4 and 12-14, 4).

The surface of the buccal portion of the crown is smoothly convex at the cusp portions with developmental grooves between the cusps. Approximately at the level of the ends of the developmental grooves, in the middle third, a developmental depression is noticeable. It runs in a mesiodistal direction just above the cervical ridge of the buccal surface (see Figure 12-14, 6 and 8). This cervical ridge may show a smooth depression in it that progresses cervically, joining with the developmental concavity just below the cervical line, which is congruent with the root bifurcation buccally.

The distal root is less curved than the mesial root, and its axis is in a distal direction from cervix to apex. The root may show some curvature at its apical third in either a mesial or a distal direction (see Figure 12-14, 1 and 8). The apex is usually more pointed than that of the mesial root and is located below or distal to the distal contact area of the crown. Considerable variation is evident in the comparative lengths of mesial and distal roots (see Figure 12-14).

Both roots are wider mesiodistally at the buccal areas than they are lingually. Developmental depressions are present on the mesial and distal sides of both roots, which lessens the mesiodistal measurement at those points. They are somewhat thicker at the lingual borders. This arrangement provides a secure anchorage for the mandibular first molar, preventing rotation. This I-beam principle increases the anchorage of each root (see Figure 13-22).

From the lingual aspect, three cusps may be seen: two lingual cusps and the lingual portion of the distal cusp (see Figures 12-5, 12-6, 12-12, and 12-13). The two lingual cusps are pointed, and the cusp ridges are high enough to hide the two buccal cusps from view. The mesiolingual cusp is the widest mesiodistally, with its cusp tip somewhat higher than the distolingual cusp. The distolingual cusp is almost as wide mesiodistally as the mesiolingual cusp. The mesiolingual and distolingual cusp ridges are inclined at angles that are similar on both lingual cusps. These cusp ridges form obtuse angles at the cusp tips of approximately 100 degrees.

The distal outline of the crown is straight immediately above the cervical line to a point immediately below the distal contact area; this area is represented by a convex curvature that also outlines the distal surface of the distal cusp. The junction of the distolingual cusp ridge of the distolingual cusp with the distal marginal ridge is abrupt; it gives the impression of a groove at this site from the lingual aspect. Sometimes, a shallow developmental groove occurs at this point (see Figure 12-10). Part of the mesial and distal surfaces of the crown and root trunk may be seen from this aspect because the mesial and distal sides converge lingually.

5 Roots In Molar Volume

The roots of the mandibular first molar appear somewhat different from the lingual aspect. They measure about 1 mm longer lingually than buccally, but the length seems more extreme (see Figures 12-6 and 12-7). This impression is derived from the fact that the cusp ridges and cervical line are at a higher level (about 1 mm). This arrangement adds a millimeter to the distance from root bifurcation to cervical line. In addition, the mesiodistal measurement of the root trunk is less toward the lingual surface than toward the buccal surface. Consequently, this slenderness lingually, in addition to the added length, makes the roots appear longer than they are from the lingual aspect (see Figure 12-9).

When the mandibular first molar is viewed from the mesial aspect, with the specimen held with its mesial surface at right angles to the line of vision, two cusps and one root only are to be seen: the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual cusps and the mesial root (see Figures 12-7, 12-8, 12-12, 12-13, and 12–15).

5 Roots In Molar Mass

5 Roots In Tooth