Objectives: Treatment of molar furcation defects remains a considerable challenge in clinical practice. Knowledge of anatomic factors facilitates predictable management of these lesions. Therefore, this study determined the bucco-lingual measurements of the cementoenamel junction and the mesial and distal roots at the level of root separation. Methods: One hundred extracted permanent human mandibular first (n=50) and second (n=50) molars were studied. Four horizontal bucco-lingual distances were measured with calibrated calipers: widths of the (a) furcation entrance/roof (FE); (b) cementoenamel junction level(CEJ); (c) mesial root width (MRW); distal root width(DRW). Results: The mean widths at FE, CEJ, MRW, and DRW were, respectively, 5.53+/-0.45mm, 8.71+/-0.54mm, 8.57+/-0.54mm, and7.97+/-0.65mm in the first molars and 5.61+/-0.65mm, 8.40+/-0.65mm,7.95+/-0.88mm and 7.16+/-0.84mm in the second molars. Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant differences between FE and the other variables tested. The results showed that the bucco-lingual width of the furcation roof is considerably shorter than the MRW and DRW, and that the FE is located closer to the mesio-distal centerline of molars than the corresponding mesial and distal root surfaces. The difference between FE and other measurements occured in all teeth evaluated and varied between 0.7mm and 4.30mm. Conclusion: Our findings demostrate that clinical mmeasurements of horizontal probing depth that use the external surfaces of roots as reference points may overestimate the true anatomical component of furcation involvement in mandibular molars.

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