Radiographic Evaluation of Maxillary Anterior Teeth Canal Curvatures in an Iranian Population

INTRODUCTION Complete knowledge of root canal curvature is a critical factor in successful endodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the direction, radius and degree of curvature of maxillary anterior teeth and the relationship between the radius and degree of curvature in Babol, a northern city of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 242 radiographs of maxillary anterior teeth (central, lateral and canine) were taken by periapical parallel technique and processed by automatic processing. The degree of canal curvature was measured only at mesiodistal direction with Schneider method and classified according to Seidberg method. Statistical analysis was performed with Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS Overall, 153 (62%) teeth had curvatures; 35.3% were mesially inclined and 64.7% were distally inclined. The degree of canal curvature was categorized into small, intermediate, and severe, that is 39.3%, 44.6% and 16.1%, respectively. The mean value of root curvature angle was 7.24°±9.03° in central incisors, 12.08°±11.02° in lateral incisors, and 15.08°±12.02° in canines respectively. There was significant correlation between type of tooth and degree of curvature (P=0.000). Significant correlation was not found between the type of tooth and radius of curvature (P=0.365). CONCLUSION In the present study, 62% of maxillary anterior teeth had some form of curvatures; highest degrees of curvature were attributed to the canine teeth.