A dental instrument configured to measure a degree of tapering of a side wall of a tooth is described. The dental instrument may include a handle and a taper measuring component coupled to a distal end of the handle. The taper measuring component includes a first, second, and third elongated member. A bottom surface may be formed at a coupling point of the second and third elongated member, where the second elongated member is configured to be substantially vertical when the bottom surface is placed adjacent to a tooth, and the third elongated member projecting radially from the second elongated member at a predefined angle. The third elongated member is shaped and positioned to rest substantially flush along the at least one side wall of the tooth when a degree of tapering of the tooth is substantially similar to the angle, and may include a measuring component.