title: Cusp radius measurement through digital image analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dental anatomy has been extensively described in numerous textbooks. Nevertheless, there are very few details about the value of the cusp radius of posterior teeth. This in vitro study used a laser profilometer to scan the occlusal surfaces of 21 molar teeth.
  
  
  METHODS
  The images were analysed with µScan software and the approximate radius of curvature was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The values varied between 0.6-2.5 mm. The radius average value was 1.25 mm bucco-lingually and 1.61 mm mesio-distally.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings might serve as a guide for different dental biomechanics studies and the conception, design and manufacturing of dental prosthetics.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania. frunzamc@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mihai Catalin
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Frunza
authors.forename: Cornel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Suciu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D048048:Dental Informatics; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D007834:Lasers; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods*; D012016:Reference Values; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult