Clinical Research
A Comparative Study of Three Different Root Canal
Curvature Measurement Techniques and Measuring the
Canal Access Angle in Curved Canals
Mahir Günday, DDS, PhD, Hesna Sazak, DDS, PhD, and Yýldýz Garip, DDS, PhD,
Abstract
In the first part of this study the Schneider (S), Weine
(W), and Long-Axis (LA) techniques are used for com-
paring the measurement of canal curvature. One hun-
dred mandibular first and second molar teeth were
selected. Radiographs were taken after inserting size 10
K-files into the mesiobuccal root canals. The radio-
graphic findings were digitized on a computer, and the
three different curvature angles were measured from
drawings of the same root canal and compared statis-
tically. ANOVA showed that there were significant dif-
ferences between the curvature angle values deter-
mined using each technique (p ⬍ 0.001). In the second
part of this study the term “canal access angle” (CAA)
was introduced and it was defined by examining the
morphology of canal curvature. Canal length, curvature
distance (y), curvature height (x), Schneider angle, and
the newly defined CAA were evaluated statistically.
Using a multiple regression analysis, the CAA was
significantly related to x (p ⬍ 0.001) and y (p ⬍ 0.005).
There was a positive correlation (r ⫽ 0.74) between the
CAA and curvature height (x). The results indicated that
the CAA is a more effective way of evaluating the root
canal curvature.
From the Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry,
Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Address requests for reprint to Dr. Yýldýz Garip, Depart-
ment of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Marmara University,
Istanbul, Turkey. E-mail address: ygarip@yahoo.com.
Copyright © 2005 by the American Association of
Endodontists
796 Gunday et al.
T he biomechanical preparation of curved root canals is an important consideration
in endodontic treatment. In addition to the canal instruments and preparation tech-
niques, root canal morphology and the degree of curvature are determining factors in
endodontic root canal preparation. Difficulties in the preparation of curved root canals
have prompted the development of new preparation methods and investigations of root
canal geometry (1– 6).
Weine (7) reported that canal curvatures exceeding 30° lead to complications in
root canal preparation and cases are more complex. Lim and Webber (8) described
some complications resulting from the preparation of curved root canals. The defor-
mation of canal instruments placed in a curved canal places stress on the instrument.
Tensile stresses form on the noncurved parts, and compressive stresses occur on the
curved parts of the canal instrument (3). When the curvature of canal increases dis-
torted part of the file becomes greater and the risk of breakage increases.
The morphology of curved root canal is of great importance to the outcome of root
canal instrumentation, with several studies being conducted to describe the curvature.
In 1971, Schneider (10) performed pioneering work on measuring canal angulation.
Subsequently, Weine (7) developed an alternative method for determining canal angu-
lation. A third method for determining canal angulation, known as the long-axis (LA)
technique, was first described by Hankins et al. (1). In contrast, Kyomen et al. (2)
introduced a linear parameter described as the maximum curvature height, which
differs from the angular measurement techniques. Likewise, Pruett et al. (3) introduced
a new parameter described as the “curvature radius” for measuring root canal curva-
ture. Radius of curvature with its resultant increased stress on endodontic instruments
may also be a significant factor clinically contributing instrument breakage and canal
transportation (11).
The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate three different methods deter-
mining curvature angles and to introduce a new parameter the “canal access angle”
(CAA) that is compared with Schneider angle.
Materials and Methods
One hundred human mandibular first and second molars were used in this study.
Teeth with incompletely formed apices, external resorption, and very narrow canals, or
with obstructed canals that would make identification impossible, were eliminated.
After extraction, all the molars were placed in a 10% formalin solution, and artifacts on
the root surfaces were removed by storing them in distilled water. After endodontic
access, a size 10 K-file was placed in the mesiobuccal canal extending to the apical
foramen and radiographs were taken. The teeth were attached to Kodak Ultra-speed film
(Kodak, Stuttgart, Germany) with soft wax and were aligned so that the long axis of the
root was parallel and as close as possible to the surface of the X-ray film. Radiographs
of each root canal were taken in buccolingual direction and long axis of the root was
perpendicular to the central X-ray beam. Exposure time was the same for all radio-
graphs with a constant distance about 40 cm between the film and X-ray source. The
films were developed, fixed, washed, and dried. After that the radiographs were scanned
with a computer (Scanner: Agfa–Duascan, Germany). The Schneider method involves
first drawing a line parallel to the long axis of the canal, in the coronal third; a second
line is then drawn from the apical foramen to intersect the point where the first line left
the long axis of the canal. The Schneider angle is the intersection of these lines. In the
JOE — Volume 31, Number 11, November 2005
 Clinical Research
TABLE 1
X ⴞ SD Minimum–Maximum
CAA ( )o
15.45 ⫾ 4.99 4.42–26.86
Canal length (mm) 12.68 ⫾ 2.15 10.26–17.85
x (mm) 1.01 ⫾ 0.35 0.30–2.08
y (mm) 3.76 ⫾ 0.88 1.91–6.41
Schneider angle (o) 22.42 ⫾ 6.31 7.98–35.45

TABLE 2
(CAA) r p
Canal length (mm) 0.31 0.001
x (mm) 0.74 0.001
y (mm) ⫺0.38 0.001
Schneider angle (o) 0.93 0.001

the curvature height (x), and the distance from A to point D is the
curvature distance (AD ⫽ y).
The angular and linear values used in this study were plotted in a
PC environment using the program Free Hand (Macromedia, Inc., San
Francisco, CA), and the pertinent measurements were made using the
program AutoCAD R12 (Autodesk, Inc., San Rafael, CA). The resultant
values were evaluated statistically using Pearson correlation and multi-
ple regression analyses.

Figure 1. (a) Curvature angle measurement from the same root canal of a
representative molar using three different techniques. (b) CAA, the angle be-
tween the line from the canal entrance (A) to apex (B) and a line parallel to the
long axis of the canal extending from the coronal part of canal. S: Schneider
angle, AC, The distance between points A and C; CD(x), curvature height; AD(y):
curvature distance. (c, d) The canal access angles of two canals with different
canal geometry may differ, even if they have the same canal curvature when
measured using the Schneider technique.
Weine technique, a straight line is drawn from the orifice through the
coronal portion of the curve, and a second line is drawn from the apex
through the apical portion of the curve. The Weine angle is the inter-
section of these lines. The LA technique involves drawing a line passing
through the apical one-third of the canal; the angle formed by the in-
tersection of that line with the long axis of the tooth is known as the LA
angle (Fig. 1a).
In the second part, CAA was described and compared with Schnei-
der Angle technique. The canal orifice (A) and apex (B) points were
connected with a line. The angle formed by the intersection between this
line (AB) and one drawn parallel to the long axis of the canal from the
coronal part (AC) (used in the Schneider method), is defined as the CAA
(Fig. 1b). At the point (C) where the parallel line described in the
Schneider method leaves the root canal a perpendicular line was drawn
to AB. The point that the perpendicular line intersects AB is D. CD gives
Results
In the first part of our study, the mean curvature angle values
measured using Schneider, Weine and LA methods are 22.42°
(⫾6.31), 29.28° (⫾9.78), and 16.79° (⫾10.04), respectively. The
largest and smallest average curvature angles measured using Schnei-
der, Weine and LA methods are 7.98° to 35.45°, 11.70° to 56.79°, and
0.35° to 46.25°, respectively. ANOVA showed that there were significant
differences between the curvature angles measured using each tech-
nique (p ⬍ 0.001). The Pearson correlation analysis found significant
positive correlation between angles S and W (r ⫽ 0.83) and angles W
and LA (r ⫽ 0.89), and a moderate correlation between angles S and LA
(r ⫽ 0.67).
The results of the second part of the investigation are summarized
in Table 1. The curvature starting distance corresponded to the coronal
third in 67% of the roots and to the medium third in the remaining 33%.
Furthermore, the CAA was significantly smaller than the Schneider cur-
vature angle (p ⬍ 0.001). The Pearson correlation analysis revealed the
following (Table 2):
1. A positive correlation (r ⫽ 0.31) between the CAA and canal
length (p ⬍ 0.001).
2. A positive correlation (r ⫽ 0.74) between the CAA and curva-
ture height (x) (p ⬍ 0.001), and a negative correlation (r ⫽
– 0.38) between the CAA and curvature distance (y) (p ⬍
0.001).
3. A positive correlation (r ⫽ 0.93) between the CAA and Schnei-
der angle (p ⬍ 0.001).
The multiple regression analysis indicated that the values of x (p ⬍
0.001) and y (p ⬍ 0.005) influence the CAA, i.e. change in the CAA
depends on the values of x and y.
Discussion
In the studies of root canal curvature Schneider angle is usually
used (8, 10, 12). Whereas the Schneider technique mainly emphasizes
the canal curvature in the coronal region, the Weine technique also
considers the apical region. In contrast, the LA technique considers only

JOE — Volume 31, Number 11, November 2005 Comparing the Measurement of Canal Curvature 797
Clinical Research
the apical curvature of the canal and does not evaluate the overall root
canal curvature (7, 10, 13). Hankins et al. (1) investigated widening
techniques used for curved canals using the Schneider and LA angles
and reported that the LA technique revealed the changes in the apical
curvature of the root canal better than the Schneider technique. The
angular values obtained using the curvature radius method introduced
by Pruett et al. (3) were geometrically equivalent to the curvature angle
measured using the Weine technique in the same canal. In our study, the
largest and smallest average curvature angles were those measured
using the Weine (29.28° ⫾ 9.78) and LA (16.79° ⫾ 10.04) tech-
niques, respectively. The maximum curvature angle (56.79°) was mea-
sured using the Weine technique, and the minimum curvature angle
(0.35°) was obtained using the LA technique.
The deformation of canal instruments and instrument breakage in
root canals are serious problems that are encountered in endodontics.
An increase in canal curvature can result in preparation errors (7, 8,
14). Bending during use in curved canals causes endodontic instru-
ments to exert a force on the wall of the curved zone. Consequently, an
equivalent force acts on the canal instrument in the dentine. The stress
acting on a canal instrument is highest in the curvature zone. The con-
tact between the file and the surface of the canal may cause enough
stress to break the file. Despite their superelasticity, recently developed
Ni-Ti canal instruments can suffer from cyclic fatigue effects in curved
canals, as determined by Pruett et al. (3) who reported that a sharp
canal curvature increases the stress on canal instruments. Sattapan et al.
(15) demonstrated that torque delivered to the endodontic instrument
was dependent on tip size, taper, and canal size. Clinically the fatigue of
an instrument may be related to the degree of flexure when placed in a
curved canal. Zelada et al. (9) concluded that both the speed of rotation
and the curvature of the root canals contribute to an increased risk of
breakage of endodontic rotary instrument. The curvature, however,
would seem to be by far the most important factor.
This study introduced two new curvature parameters pertaining to
the coronal zone of curved root canals: the curvature starting distance
(y) and the curvature height (x). Our results show that the canal access
angles of two canals with different canal geometry can differ, even if they
have the same canal curvature as measured using the Schneider tech-
nique. The curvature starting distance (y) recedes from the root canal
entrance as the curvature increases. As seen in Fig. 1, the CAA in Fig. 1c
is smaller for the canal with the larger curvature starting distance (Fig.
1d) among canals with identical Schneider angles. In this case, the
deformation and stress on the canal instrument would intensify at the tip
of the instrument, which would in turn affect the rest of the instrument.
In the situation where you get the same degree of canal curvature,
because of access limitation, it is impossible that an instrument would
remain straight during instrumentation. As a result, not only torsion but
also flexural fatigue of an instrument will predispose an instrument to
fracture. To reduce the risk of torsional fracture in the root canal, apical
force should be moderate during instrumentation. Previous studies (9,
16) reported that all breakage occurred in the apical portion of the
canal (15), which might be explained by the fact that a curvature with a
small radius usually occurs in the apical foramen. A new parameter, the
798 Gunday et al.
CAA, was introduced to take into account the stress on instrumentation
during canal preparation. An increase in the curvature distance (y)
results in displacement of the curvature point away from the canal
entrance. In such a case, deformation and stress on the canal instru-
ment intensify toward the tip.
Most studies have used the Schneider method to determine root
canal curvature (5, 12, 17–19). However, our results show that the CAA
is as effective as the Schneider angle in evaluating root canal curvature
with respect to its influence on the operation of root canal instruments.
In addition, it is a better method to measure effectiveness of new root
canal instruments.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Eng. Faruk Berker for provid-
ing technical assistance.
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JOE — Volume 31, Number 11, November 2005