Comparison of root canal length measurement methods in primary teeth

Mine Koruyucu,Figen Seymen,Yelda Kasımoğlu,Merve Bayram

doi:10.5195/d3000.2018.83

Mine Koruyucu, Figen Seymen + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.5195/d3000.2018.83

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Journal: Dentistry 3000	Publication Date: Jul 13, 2018
Citations: 2	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medipol University

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of conventional radiography, intraoral digital radiovisiography and electronic apex locator in determining the working length of root canals in primary teeth (in-vivo) and to compare the results with scanning electron microscopy measurements (ex-vivo). Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 50 primary molar teeth. Standard endodontic access cavity preparations were prepared and the actual length was calculated by calibrated investigators. Working lengths were determined by using conventional radiography, RVG and apex locator in a total of 116 root canals. After the extraction of the teeth, each canal length was determined by using SEM. Data were analysed statistically by using Oneway Anova, Tukey HDS, Student t test and Bonferroni tests. Results: The mean root length measurements with conventional radiography were significantly higher than apex locator, RVG and SEM. The accuracy of apex locator and RVG were higher than conventional radiography in determining the working length in primary teeth. Conclusions: The electronic apex locators provide an acceptable level of accuracy in determining root canal length in primary teeth. Clinical Relevance: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of conventional radiography, intraoral digital radiovisiography and electronic apex locator in determining the working length of root canals in primary teeth and,to compare the results with scanning electron microscopy measurements.

Highlights

The primary objective of pulpectomy of primary teeth is to retain teeth with irreversible pulp pathosis in a symptom free state and maintain the integrity of the arch form [1, 2]
The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of conventional radiography, in-‐ traoral digital radiovisiography and electronic apex locator in deter-‐ mining the working length of root canals in primary teeth and to compare the results with scanning electron microscopy measurements
Fifty ex-‐ tracted human primary molar teeth (116 root canals) referred for extraction to Istanbul Universi-‐ ty, Faculty of Dentistry, Depart-‐ ment of Pedodontics because it is not possible to restore them after caries are removed or when there is a root with re-‐ sorption great-‐ er than two-‐ thirds were se-‐ lected follow-‐ ing clinical and radiographic examination

Summary

Introduction

The primary objective of pulpectomy of primary teeth is to retain teeth with irreversible pulp pathosis in a symptom free state and maintain the integrity of the arch form [1, 2]. A num-‐ ber of reasons, such as the com-‐ plex anatomic morphology of the root canal system in primary teeth, innate physiological root resorption, the close proximity of the permanent successor tooth and the difficulty of producing satisfactory radiological images of primary tooth apices makes it dif-‐ ficult to achieve proper treatment [3]. Radiography is among the most common and widely used techniques for root canal length determination [4, 5]. Use of radi-‐ ography to calculate root canal length may not always lead to ac-‐ curate results especially in case of physiological resorption of primary teeth. The over-‐ filled material can retain after natural exfoliation of the primary tooth [8]. Poor co-‐ operation of children makes it dif-‐ ficult to take a radiograph with acceptable diagnostic value [4, 5]

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