Identification of Apical and Cervical Curvature Radius of Human Molars

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).

Determinar a frequência de curvaturas apicais e cervicais em molares humanos usando o método do raio de curvatura e imagens de Tomografia Computadorizada de Feixe Cônico (TCFC). Quatrocentas imagens de primeiros e segundos molares superiores e inferiores foram selecionadas a partir de um banco de dados de exames de TCFC. O raio de curvatura dos canais foi medido usando um circuncentro com base em três pontos matemáticos e classificado de acordo com os seguintes escores: 0 - linha reta; 1 - raio grande (r > 8 mm, curvatura suave); 2 - raio intermediário (r > 4 e r < 8, curvatura moderada); 3 - raio pequeno (r ≤ 4 mm, curvatura severa). A frequência de curvaturas foi analisada em função do canal radicular, dos terços da raiz, e dos planos de avaliação (coronal e sagital); e avaliados usando o teste Qui-Quadrado (significância de α=0.05). Dos 1200 canais radiculares avaliados, 92,75% apresentaram curvatura no terço apical e 73,25% no terço cervical quando da análise no plano coronal; a análise do plano sagital revelou 89,75% de canais curvos no terço apical e 77% no terço cervical. Canais radiculares com curvatura suave foram significantemente mais frequentes quando comparados com as demais categorias, independentemente do terço radicular ou do plano. A maioria dos canais radiculares dos primeiros e segundos molares superiores e inferiores apresentou algum grau de curvatura nos terços apical e cervical, independentemente do plano analisado (coronal ou sagital).

Study on distolingual root canal curvature on permanent mandibular first molars by the cone-beam computed tomography / 实用医学杂志

Objective To measure the curvatures of the distolingual root canals of permanent mandibular first molars by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods The CBCT was used to collect 230 cases of mandibular first molar distalingual root from 513 patients. The images were created by 3-D reconstruction based on the BECT data. Images were analyzed by NNT image analysis software. Each tooth was captured in clinical (CV) and proximal view (PV) image, and measured by the Schneider method. Results The average curvature of the distallingual canal was (13.27 ± 8.57)° in CV, and (30.96 ± 11.63)° in PV. Most of the distallingual root in the buccolingual view was mild bending or moderate bending , and the proximal view was severe bending. The distal lingual root bending was the most common in the crown third of the root , next in the apical third of the root, in the middle third of the root. Conclusion CBCT is an effective tool for the detection of additional distolingual roots and is a valuable aid for dentists in root canal treatment.

Method for determination of root curvature radius using cone-beam computed tomography images

This article describes and discusses a method to determine root curvature radius by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The severity of root canal curvature is essential to select instrument and instrumentation technique. The diagnosis and planning of root canal treatment have traditionally been made based on periapical radiography. However, the higher accuracy of CBCT images to identify anatomic and pathologic alterations compared to panoramic and periapical radiographs has been shown to reduce the incidence of false-negative results. In high-resolution images, the measurement of root curvature radius can be obtained by circumcenter. Based on 3 mathematical points determined with the working tools of Planimp® software, it is possible to calculate root curvature radius in both apical and coronal directions. The CBCT-aided method for determination of root curvature radius presented in this article is easy to perform, reproducible and allows a more reliable and predictable endodontic planning, which reflects directly on a more efficacious preparation of curved root canals.

O objetivo deste estudo foi discutir um método para obter o raio de curvatura a partir de imagens de tomografias computadorizadas cone beam (CBCT). A severidade da curvatura do canal radicular é essencial para selecionar o instrumento e a técnica de instrumentação. O diagnóstico e o planejamento do tratamento endodôntico tem sido feito com o auxílio da radiografia periapical. Contudo, a precisão da imagem obtida por CBCTpara identificar alterações anatômicas e patológicas reduz os resultados falso-negativos. Em imagens com alta qualidade de resolução a mensuração do raio de curvatura pode ser obtida a partir do circuncentro. Baseado em três pontos matemáticos com a ferramenta de trabalho de um software (Planimp®) pode-se calcular o raio de curvatura em ambas as direções, tanto para frente em sentido apical, como para trás em direção cervical. Este método para se determinar o raio de curvatura auxiliado por imagens de tomografia computadorizada é fácil, reprodutível e favorece o planejamento do tratamento endodôntico o que influencia na eficácia do preparo de canais radiculares curvos.

Root canal curvature of anterior teeth in the Han nationality in Shaanxi province / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective: To investigate the root canal curvatures of anterior teeth in the Han nationality in Shaanxi province.Methods:392 permanent anterior teeth were examined by indirect digital radiography both from labiolingual and mesiodistal directions according to Schneider method, root canal curvatures were analyzed by electronic rule.Results:Root canals of the anterior teeth were mainly of type I. High rate of root canal curvature was found in maxillary canines (68.5%), and most of curves were in the apical third. There was a relationship between the root canal curvatures of maxillary canine and age(P=0.03). Conclusion:Root canal curvatures of maxillary canine are complicated,especially in maxillary canines. The root canal curvatures of maxillary canine decreased with aging.

A mathematical analysis of the relationship between Schneider's method and Weine's method for the measurement of root canal curvature / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective:To study the mathematical relation between the measurements of root canal curvature obtained by Schneider's method(?_S) and Weine's method(?_W).Methods:The axis of a curved root canal was simplified by an arc (whose radius was r and central angle ?) and 2 tangent line segments (whose lengths were l_1 and l_2),the relation of ?_S and ?_W was studied with the help of mathematical analysis according to the different ways of determining the measured angles on the simplified axis.The graphs of the function were analysed.Results:The following formulas were proved:(1)tan?_S=(1-cos?_W+ ksin?_W)/(sin?_W+kcos?_W),k=l_2/r;(2)?_W/2≦?_S≦?_W.If ?_W was in the interval [0,?],a proximate linear correlation existed between ?_S and ?_W.Conclusion:There is a complex function between the 2 angles(?_S and ?_W) measured by Schneider's method and Weine's method,the ratio of the length of the apical straight part to the radius of the canal curvature is an important factor determining the different values of ?_S and ?_W.