[Legal medicine and dentistry].

With reference to cases of American dentists sued for "malpractice" during the 80s, the authors summarise the causes why, initially, the American lawyers found it difficult to plead on behalf of their clients. Therefore, the authors suggest a number of measures in order to reduce the probability of being sued by patients. In particular, they focus attention on:--the duty to treat patients, with reference to experimentation on humans within the context of scientific research and citing the Declaration of Helsinki;--informed consent, with particular emphasis on the need to inform the patient regarding all aspects of treatment, including any risks or presumed complications that might arise during and after treatment;--professional liability, drawing a distinction between moral responsibility (regulated by the Code of Professional Practice) and legal liability (involving the legal field).

[The anatomical characteristics of the root furcations in the molar teeth].

The aim of the present study has been to realize a morphometrical and morphological study on the anatomical characteristics of molar teeth root furcations. Two hundred ninety four molars (147 upper and 147 lower teeth), after extraction and elimination of periodontal ligament residuals by trypsin, have been morphometrically evaluated recording the principal anatomical characters of the furcal and radicular region (root and radicular trunk lengths, mesio-distal and vestibulo-palatal diameters at the cementum-enamel junction, inter-radicular angle width and furcal area extension). By the Pearson's correlation test data such obtained were analyzed to verify the existence of statistically significant correlations among the above mentioned anatomical characteristics.