The analysis of root canal curvature and direction of maxillary lateral incisors by using cone-beam computed tomography

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate root canal curvature and direction of maxillary lateral incisors in Shandong, China. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 176 maxillary lateral incisors of 88 patients were collected in Shandong Province, China. Software included with CBCT was used to measure the angle of root canal curvature of maxillary lateral incisors on the maximum bending plane. In addition, the direction of each root canal was recorded. The data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 17.0 software package. The results showed that all the samples had a single canal (Vertucci's type I). The incidence of straight root canals, curved root canals, and S-type root canals was 39.2%, 58%, and 2.8%, respectively. The difference in the mean angle of root canal curvature failed to identify any differences between the left and right side ( P > .05). The most curved root canal of maxillary lateral incisors oriented in the palato-distal direction. The maxillary lateral incisors were mainly curved root canals of which the proportion of moderate curvature was the largest. Software included with CBCT would provide some valuable information for root canal instrumentation of maxillary lateral incisors.

Assessment of Mesiobuccal Root Canal Curvature in Maxillary Molars of Egyptian Population: A Standardized CBCT-Based Radiographic Protocol

“…Curvature rates of the first molar did not differ significantly from the second molar which is consistent with results found by Levenets et al 39 in the Krasnoyarsk population. No differences were observed in the variance of the mean angle of root canal curvature between the left and right sides (p > .05) which is consistent with Wang et al 9 and Tzeng et al who asserted symmetry in bilateral maxillary molars. 40 In summary, root canal curvature in maxillary posterior teeth varies in the Egyptian population, hence raising treatment difficulty.…”

“…8 Earlier studies applied different approaches to determine root canal curvature involving periapical radiography, transparent tooth techniques, and microcomputed tomography. 9 In 2008, Estrela et al 10 suggested the utilization of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for finding anatomical and pathological changes, as opposed to periapical radiography, which fails to show curvatures in a three-dimensional direction.…”