A brief review of the methods used to determine the curvature of root canals

Abstract

Successful endodontic therapy is largely dependent on a triad of access cavity, canal preparation, and three-dimensional hermetically sealed obturation of the canals. Canal preparation is the most vital part of the triad that can be very challenging due to the complex morphology of the root canal system. Clinicians quite frequently encounter severe canal curvatures of different degrees within the roots that lead to a variety of problems including ledge formation, separation of instruments, canal blockage, and tear-drop transportation at the apex or perforation. Anatomical variations within the complex root canal morphology are the commonest cause of endodontic treatment failure. It is, therefore, essential to have a thorough knowledge about the internal and external morphologies of teeth. The aim of the current paper is to review the methods used to determine the root canal curvature and its management.