An in Vitro Comparison of Root Canal Length Measurements in Primary Teeth

Aghareed Mohammed

doi:10.33899/rden.2009.45385

Abstract

Aims: The current study aims at comparing the accuracy of root canal lengths in primary teeth determined by tactile sense, conventional radiography and electronic apex locator(EAL) Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 30 extracted, single-rooted primary teeth . A comparison was conducted between the root canal length measurements obtained by tactile sensation ,conventional radiography and electronic apex locator (EAL), using the actual root canal length as a standardization to compare the above methods. Root canal length measurements were completed with size15-K file in actual-standard and measuring methods. The accuracy of the three systems to determine the root-canal length were evaluated by measuring the distance from the tip of the file to the apex. Results: Statistical results revealed that the EAL was the most accurate method of measurement with the lowest value of standard deviation (0.88±1.41) when compared with the remaining two methods, followed by the conventional radiography while the tactile sense method can be considered the least accurate one since, a significant difference at p that the sole use of tactile method is generally depreciated because of it's non reliability. An electronic apex locator method have been proved to be the technique of choice in determining the root canal length in primary teeth.

Highlights

The development of diagnostic imaging techniques in dentistry has been of fundamental importance
A real or actual root canal length was first determined for each numbered specimens by advancing number 15K-file apically with the rubber stopper touched the incisal edge and the tip of the file was showed by the naked eye to be with the level of the apical foramen, the file was with drawled carefully and the distance from the rubber stopper to the file tip was measured by using a graduated metal scale and documented as the real root canal length (RRCL) to be compared with the mean root length of each measurement method.[9]
Statistical results showed a significant difference at p

Summary

Introduction

The development of diagnostic imaging techniques in dentistry has been of fundamental importance. The application of such techniques in endodontics allows the definition of root canal morphology as well the determination of endodontic working length.[1]. One of the main concerns in root canal treatment is to determine how far working instruments should be advanced within the root canal, and at what point the preparation and obturation should be located.[2]. There are specific problems which are characteristic of primary teeth: root canal walls are often thin and instrumentation of the canal may result in perforation or root fractures. A technique to be used in determining the root canal length most give précis and reproducible results.[6]. Because the simple technique of the tactile perception and it's virtual effectiveness, they are fac-

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion