During canal instrumentation of a curved canal, restoring force of endodontic instrument remove more dentin from the inner wall of the curvature. This effect tends to straighten the canal and thus may significantly shorten the working length. This study was to determine the mean reduction in working length after instrumentation according to the curvature. The curvature of mandibular mesial root was determined before instrumentation. 30 canals were divided into 3 groups each 10 on the basis of degree of curvature. Experimental groups as follows. In group 1, canals having curvature from 15 to 20 degrees: in group 2, canals having curvature from 20 to 30degrees; in group 3, canals having curvature above 30 degrees. Experimental teeth in all groups were accessed, and their actual working length determined by passing a size 15 K-file(IAF) just through the minor apical foramen. The canals were sequentially enlarged to size 35 with ProFile .06 series. The change of working length was calculated by measuring the tip of IAF beyond apical foramen by using stereomicroscope. The change of canal curvature following instrumentation were measured using the Schneider technique. The results were as follows. 1. The greatest changes of curvature and working length were observed in the group 3 canals(P<0.05), next were group 2 canals and group 1 canals(P>0.05). 2. Group 1 canals showed a mean reduction in 1.61 degrees and length of 0.12m respectively(P>0.05). 3. Group 2 canals showed a mean reduction in 3.42 degrees(P<0.05) and length of 0.25mm(P>0.05) respectively. 4. Group 3 canals showed a mean reduction in 7.23 degrees(<0.05) and length of 0.64mm respectively(P<0.05).