Upper Canine Root Length — ORE Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: A — Approximately 17 mm
The best answer is A. A permanent maxillary canine typically has an anatomical root length of about 17 mm; it is longer than the roots of the maxillary incisors but is not usually 26–27 mm in root length. That larger figure is often confused with the approximate overall tooth length, including the crown. A length of 15 mm is plausible but is below the usual mean for a maxillary canine, whereas 12 mm is too short and 22 mm or 27 mm are excessive as typical root lengths. In clinical endodontics, this anatomical estimate is only a planning guide: the working length must be determined for the individual tooth using appropriate radiographic and electronic methods rather than assumed from average anatomy.
Reference: Chen Y et al. Morphological analysis of anterior permanent dentition in a Chinese population using cone-beam computed tomography. Head & Face Medicine, 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36959644/