Plywood Jig—A New Technique for Root Canal Curvature Measurement

The successful outcome of endodontic treatment is dependent on complete cleaning, shaping as well as three dimensional obturation of the root canal system. A conventional radiograph is a two-dimensional replication of a three-dimensional object and does not provide any conclusive evidence for canal curvatures. An accurate knowledge of the tooth anatomy and curvature is essential to avoid procedural errors. 100 freshly extracted human teeth were used in this study. Digital images were obtained using the plywood JIG and Schneider’s technique. These images were analyzed using the VixWin Pro digital image analyzing software (Gendex system). Statistical analysis was done using paired t test. The canal curvature average values measured using Jig method and Schneider method for mandibular teeth are 28.23° (±9.96) and 22.07° (±9.46) respectively. The smallest/largest curvature angles measured using Jig method and Schneider technique are 12/52° and 8/44° respectively. Canal curvature average values measured using Jig method and Schneider method for maxillary teeth were 23.40° (±11.36) and 19.23° (±11.94) respectively. The smallest/largest average curvature angles measured using Jig method, Schneider technique were 9/70° and 5/72° respectively. The values of the canal curvature angle obtained during routine radiographs in clinics have lower curvature angle and higher radius values as compared to the values obtained by this innovative JIG technique. Therefore, a clinician should always keep in mind the difference while measuring the curvature angle on radiographs during root canal treatment.