Root curvature: differences among dental morphotypes and modifications after mechanical instrumentation.

Background: This study was designed to describe a method for measuring root curvature of extracted teeth, compare root curvature of four different dental morphotypes before mechanical instrumentation, and measure root curvature after mechanical instrumentation.

Methods: Fifty-five maxillary (14 central incisors, 13 lateral incisors, 14 cuspids, 14 premolars) extracted teeth were analyzed. Measurements were recorded on the horizontal plane at the most apical point of the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ).