African Journal of
Oral Health Sciences

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SCHOOL OF DENTAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI, KENYA
  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Oral Health Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1608-7232
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJOHS
  • Start Year: 2016
  • Published Articles: 8

Full Length Research Paper

Root curvature in the maxillary first permanent molars in a Kenyan population

Nyaga J. M1, Maina S.W2, Gathece L.W2, Okoth J2
Department of conservative and Restorative dentistry, University of Nairobi
Email: [email protected]

  •  Received: 10 October 2016
  •  Accepted: 10 December 2016
  •  Published: 31 December 2016

Abstract

Objective; To determine the root curvature in the maxillary first permanent molars. Methodology; A total of 187 maxillary molars were collected from male and female patients aged between10 and 40 years. The teeth were orientated in their anatomical positions on a calibrated graph paper and the root curvature determined with reference to the long axis of root from the bifurcation.  Results; Majority of the mesiobuccally roots (63.6%) were curved and of the curved, 95% curved distally. In the distobuccally root, 49.7% of the roots were curved and majority (77.4%) curved mesial. Majority of the palatal roots were straight (65.3%). Of the curved palatal roots, 92.5% curved in a buccal direction. The gen-der variations in root curvature in maxillary first permanent molars was not statistically significant. Conclusion; Palatal root in maxillary first permanent molars had the lowest frequency of curved roots.

Key words; roots, curvature, maxillary, molars