Survey on the occlussal morphology of the permanent maxillary molars in a sample of Egyptian Population

Abstract

Background:The study of dental morphological characteristics is useful for providing information for phylogenic, anthropological, forensic and genetic studies and understanding variations within and among species.The aim of the study was to investigate, compare and document the distinctive cuspal outlines and groove patterns of permanent maxillary molars in a sample of Egyptian population, this was performed morphologically through study casts inspection, followed by statistical analysis of the collected data. Materials and Methods: 50 upper study casts models of patients aged above 21 years from the Orthodontic Department of Faculty of Dentistry at Ain Shams University with all maxillary molars teeth present were collected. Results: Regarding cusp number and groove pattern of maxillary molars, M1 showed prevalence of 4H groove pattern while 3 cusps and U groove pattern was the most common pattern for M2&M3.Regarding the frequency of molar tubercle (tubercle of carabelli), M1 showed prevalence of type I molar tubercle(depression), while the absence of the molar tubercle was the most common pattern for M2 &M3.Occlusal outline of M1 showed prevalence of the rhomboidal outline while M3 showed prevalence of triangle outline. Statistical results showed significant difference between the maxillary molars.Conclusions: The morphological characteristics of teeth in a sample of Egyptian population were consistent with those of other studies performed on different populations using similar methodology.