title: Identification of Apical and Cervical Curvature Radius of Human Molars.
abstract: To determine the frequency of apical and cervical curvatures in human molars using the radius method and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Four hundred images of mandibular and maxillary first and second molars were selected from a database of CBCT exams. The radius of curvature of curved root canals was measured using a circumcenter based on three mathematical points. Radii were classified according to the following scores: 0 - straight line; 1 - large radius (r > 8 mm, mild curvature); 2 - intermediate radius (r > 4 and r < 8 mm, moderate curvature); and 3 - small radius (r ≤ 4 mm, severe curvature). The frequency of curved root canals was analyzed according to root canal, root thirds, and coronal and sagittal planes, and assessed using the chi-square test (significance at α = 0.05). Of the 1,200 evaluated root canals, 92.75% presented curved root canals in the apical third and 73.25% in the cervical third on coronal plane images; sagittal plane analysis yielded 89.75% of curved canals in the apical third and 77% in the cervical third. Root canals with a large radius were significantly more frequent when compared with the other categories, regardless of root third or plane. Most root canals of maxillary and mandibular first and second molars showed some degree of curvature in the apical and cervical thirds, regardless of the analyzed plane (coronal or sagittal).
authors: Department of Stomatologic Sciences, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, BR.
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Estrela
authors: Department of Oral Sciences, Universidade de Cuiabá, Cuiabá, MT, BR.
authors: Mike R
authors: MR
authors: Bueno
authors: Department of Endodontics, Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Canoas, RS, BR.
authors: Fernando B
authors: FB
authors: Barletta
authors: Department of Oral Sciences, Universidade de Cuiabá, Cuiabá, MT, BR.
authors: Orlando A
authors: OA
authors: Guedes
authors: Department of Stomatologic Sciences, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, BR.
authors: Olavo C
authors: OC
authors: Porto
authors: Department of Oral Sciences, Universidade de Cuiabá, Cuiabá, MT, BR.
authors: Cyntia R A
authors: CR
authors: Estrela
authors: Department of Endodontics, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, BR.
authors: Jesus Djalma
authors: JD
authors: Pécora
mesh_terms: D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D019237:Tooth Cervix / Q000033:anatomy & histology*