Abstract
The aim of this research was to determine ex vivo the influence on accuracy of five different embedding media, for investigative and educational purposes, and one electronic apex locator. 110 human extracted mature roots of permanent single-rooted human teeth were used. The roots were embedded in alginate, stick sponge, 2% agar–agar and 6% and 12% gelatin. The actual working length to the physiological foramen was determined under a stereo-microscope (16 ×) and the electronic working lengths with the Elements Diagnostic Unit and a K-file ISO 10. The accuracy ranges of the accumulated measurements, when allowing a ± 0.5 mm tolerance, went from 98.2% (6% and 12% gelatin), 93.7% (alginate), 92.8% (2% agar–agar) to 91.7% (sponge). The exact measurements at the physiological foramen ranged from 80.0% (6% gelatin), 76.5% (2% agar–agar), 71.8% (12% gelatin), 68.2% (alginate) to 64.5% (sponge). Although relatively seldom (n = 24), measurements with deviations of more than ± 0.5 mm were also observed; thus, the accuracy of the working length determination results per se can be considered as clinically acceptable. The results of this research allow a recommendation of the investigated embedding media for electronic working length determination models for educational and research purposes in endodontics.
Highlights
The aim of this research was to determine ex vivo the influence on accuracy of five different embedding media, for investigative and educational purposes, and one electronic apex locator. 110 human extracted mature roots of permanent single-rooted human teeth were used
The radiologic working length determination and an electronic device[16]; it would be clinically advisable to keep in mind that the working length determination by means of a radiograph alone could lead to overestimation and unintentional over-enlargement of the physiological foramen[17]
The working length results of 110 root canals measured with the Elements Diagnostic Unit apex locator and five different embedding media can be considered as normally distributed; the results are described with mean values and confidence intervals
Summary
The aim of this research was to determine ex vivo the influence on accuracy of five different embedding media, for investigative and educational purposes, and one electronic apex locator. 110 human extracted mature roots of permanent single-rooted human teeth were used. All possible measures should be undertaken to constrain mechanical procedures as well as chemicals and possible toxins from irritating materials within the root canal system, but not beyond the physiological foramen limits in order to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination and/or mechanical or chemical irritation of the peri-radicular tissues due to irrigating solutions, filling materials and over-instrumentation[4] These precautions will enhance the success rate of an endodontic t reatment[4]. It has been reported in several in vitro studies[8,9,10,11,12,13] that a solely electronic working length determination under different clinical conditions leads to clinically acceptable results, the actual guidelines of professional endodontic societies[14,15] suggest that the working length should be determined electronically and subsequently substantiated by means of an X-ray image Despite this fact, different research groups report[5,6] that only approximately 50% of the surveyed operators routinely combine the electronic and radiological working length determination methods. An ex vivo study was designed and carried out to assess if one or more of the embedding materials investigated would not be suitable conductive media for apex locator working length determination
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