Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test

The most common curvature of the palatal root of the maxillary first molar is predominantly to the buccal. This curvature is characteristic due to the anatomy of the maxillary first molar, where the palatal root typically exhibits a slight buccal inclination in its apical area.

The positioning of the roots is influenced by the overall morphology of the maxillary first molar, which has a broader buccal surface compared to the palatal surface. Consequently, the structure of the tooth allows for a natural curvature towards the buccal side, as it accommodates biting and chewing functions, leading to the buccal root morphology being most commonly observed among practitioners.

In contrast, other curvatures such as distal or mesial are not as commonly found when evaluating the palatal root, as they do not align with the standard anatomical presentation seen in the majority of cases. Moreover, a palatal curvature is less typical in the context of maxillary first molar morphology since the anatomy supports a curvature primarily toward the buccal aspect. This anatomical tendency is crucial for dental professionals to understand for effective endodontic treatment or when planning orthodontic movements.