Cusp radius measurement through digital image analysis

Abstract

Objective. Dental anatomy has been extensively described in numerous textbooks. Nevertheless, there are very few details about the value of the cusp radius of posterior teeth. This in vitro study used a laser profilometer to scan the occlusal surfaces of 21 molar teeth. Materials and methods. The images were analysed with µScan software and the approximate radius of curvature was measured. Results. The values varied between 0.6–2.5 mm. The radius average value was 1.25 mm bucco-lingually and 1.61 mm mesio-distally. Conclusions. These findings might serve as a guide for different dental biomechanics studies and the conception, design and manufacturing of dental prosthetics.