[Survey of root canal curvature in maxillary anterior teeth].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate root canal curvature in maxillary anterior teeth.


METHODS
About 400 human maxillary anterior teeth were examined by indirect digital radiography both from labiolingual and mesiodistal directions. The root canal curvature was analyzed.


RESULTS
The major sort of maxillary anterior teeth was type I. The proportion of maxillary center incisors, maxillary lateral incisors, maxillary canines curved in mesiodistal were 11.17%, 16.19% and 21.43%, in labio-lingual were 39.59%, 40.00% and 29.59%, both in labiolingual and mesiodistal directions were 4.60%, 35.24% and 24.49%. About 50% of maxillary anterior teeth were moderate curve, the degree of root canal curvature of maxillary canines was larger than that of maxillary incisors, and radius of curvature and length of the curved part of root canal of maxillary canines were smaller than that of maxillary incisors.


CONCLUSIONS
Root canal curvature in maxillary anterior is complex, especially in maxillary canine. In order to improve quality of root canal therapy, we need to understand types of root canal, degree of root canal curvature and radius of curvature completely.
Dept. of Endodontics and Operative Dentistry, School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan , China.
Xiao-Ling
XL
Tao
Bin
B
Peng
Zhuan
Z
Bian
Ming-wen
MW
Fan
D003481:Cuspid; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor; D008437:Maxilla; D012390:Root Canal Therapy