Use Of Apex Locator Research Articles

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of endodontists for use of apex locators in clinical practice in India: A survey-based study

ABSTRACT Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of endodontists in India for working length measurements using Apex locators. Materials and Methods: This study is an online questionnaire-based survey consisting of 24 questions in total, divided into five parts. The first part consisted of questions related to demographic details, the second part inquires about the tools and technology used for working length determination, and the remaining questions evaluate the KAP regarding the use of apex locators to determine working length (five questions each). Participants in the study were either pursuing or completed postgraduation in endodontics. A total of 257 responses were recorded; however, six participants were excluded due to incomplete submission. Thus, 251 responses were analyzed as descriptive analyses. Correlation analysis and Chi-square tests were performed to find any association between demographic variables and years of experience in practice with KAP of using apex locators by endodontists. Results: In this study, it was observed that the knowledge of the majority of endodontic practitioners was fair, with a positive attitude and practice of using apex locators. Knowledge of the study participants was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) associated with the good attitude and practice of the study participants. Furthermore, years of experience in practice have a positive association with the KAP of endodontists. Conclusion: It can be concluded that endodontists have better clinical acceptance, as they show positive attitudes and practices for using apex locators for working length determination.

Use of technology in endodontics by undergraduate dental students in a south-eastern state of Brazil.

This study aimed to determine the level of incorporation of current technologies for endodontic treatment in undergraduate dentistry courses in a south-eastern state of Brazil. For data collection, a self-assessment-based online questionnaire was created using the "Google Forms" platform, consisting of 12 multiple-choice and a few open-ended questions. The questions were related to the use of current technologies for diagnosis, imaging, use of ultrasonics in endodontics, instrumentation, use of apex locator, microscopy, photodynamic therapy and thermoplastic techniques during endodontic treatment. The questionnaire was sent to 54 dental schools in Minas Gerais. The results show low technological incorporation during the various stages of endodontic treatment by undergraduate students in dentistry courses in Minas Gerais. Despite the availability of several technologies to help perform different stages of endodontic treatment, it was observed that most universities do not teach the use of these technologies. Additional studies are needed to correlate how the lack of incorporation of these technologies could impact on the quality of the endodontic learning for undergraduate students.

In vitro comparison between apex locators, direct and radiographic techniques for determining the root canal length in primary teeth.

To compare the accuracy of three electronic apex locators in the measurement of the root length of primary teeth with the radiographic and direct visual techniques. The sample of the in vitro study was 102 root canals of primary molars. For the direct visual technique, the root canal file was introduced into the canal until its tip passed the apical foramen, then it was moved back to the limit of the foramen or root resorption and the measurement was made with a millimetre ruler. For the radiographic measurement, a calibrated and blinded researcher (κ > 0.87) measured the root canals using the same rule. Measurements with apex locators were performed by inserting the file into the canal until the word "Apex" or audible warning to indicate the foramen or resorption. For data analysis, one-way ANOVA for repeated measurements and the Sidak post hoc tests were performed. The direct measurement (µ = 8.57) did not present statistical difference when compared to the Root ZX II measurement (µ = 8.45), as opposed to the radiographic measurements (µ = 8.12), the Endus (µ = 8.24) and iPex II (µ = 8.29). The use of apex locators was superior to the radiographic method and the Root ZX II was the most effective.

Radiographic Practices & The Use of Apex Locators In Endodontic Treatment In Mumbai – A Comparison of Perceptions Between Endodontists & Other Dental Practitioners.

Aims and Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the attitudes of general practitioners, endodontic specialists & other specialists in and around Mumbai in relation to the use of electronic apex locator and the radiographic practices prevailing among them for root canal therapy. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional contact survey was conducted including 400 dental professionals in and around Mumbai who performed endodontic procedures. A specially prepared format exclusively designed for recording all the required relevant general information and information related to working length determination method was used as a tool for data collection.Data was tabulated in excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software. Discussion and Conclusion: From the survey, it was observed that the Endodontists employed apex locators and RVG more frequently than their colleagues’ in general dental practice and this finding was statistically significant. It was also observed that there was a reticence amongst older practitioners to adopt more recent techniques. There is a very apparent deficit in the knowledge of potential benefits of using Electronic Apex Locators in routine endodontic treatment.

Guía para el uso del Localizador de foramen

Now days is more the trust we can have to the Apex-locator in endodontics. Now we can expect more accuracy results working length measure, not only of the apical constriction but the total length of the roots. Endodontics can’t left behind the use of the Apex-locator, because of its useful work, not only on the determination of the works length, also in the diagnostic of perforations or fractures. Even do, this article displays a reliable and simple guide in the use of apex locator during enodontic treatment.

An overview of electronic apex locators: part 1

To effectively carry out root canal therapy, the clinician must accurately determine the apical limit of the root canal system as well as the position of the canal terminus. Its position can be estimated using a variety of techniques, including radiographs, tactile feedback from endodontic instruments and electronic apex locators. This article describes the micro-anatomy of the apical terminus, different methods of measuring root canal system length and how a tooth can function as an electrical capacitor. This capacitor model represents a starting point upon which all apex locators are based. An understanding of this model can help the practitioner to optimise the use of apex locators, understand their limitations and avoid errors that can occur.

The use of radiography and the apex locator in endodontic treatment within the UK: a comparison between endodontic specialists and general dental practitioners

To investigate the attitudes of general dental practitioners (GDPs) and specialist endodontists working in the UK in the use of radiography and apex locators during root canal treatment and to see if use was related to respondent's age and the year of graduation. A postal questionnaire was sent to 857 randomly selected GDPs and all endodontic specialists working in the UK (170). Non-responders were sent a further two mailings. Chi-squared tests were used to compare both groups at the P < 0.05 level of significance. For nonparametric data, the Mann-Whitney U test was employed. The overall response rate was 73%. There were significant differences between endodontic specialists and GDPs in the prescription of the preoperative, the cone-fit and the postoperative radiograph. A total of 114 (86.4%) endodontic specialists and 321 (53.2%) GDPs reported using an apex locator (P < 0.001). Eighty-eight (66.7%) endodontists and 217 (36%) GDPs used an apex locator and a radiograph to determine the working length for a single-rooted tooth (P < 0.001). For multi-rooted teeth, 91 (68.9%) endodontists and 229 (38%) GDPs used a combined approach of an electronic apex locator and a working-length radiograph (P < 0.001). One-millimetre short of the radiographic apex was employed by 56.2% of respondents as the apical limit. There were significant differences (P < 0.001) between the two groups with regard to routine radiographic follow-up. Both endodontists and GDPs were found to be observing national guidelines when performing root canal treatment. Greater use of apex locators was found amongst endodontists who tended to use a combined approach of an apex locator and periapical radiography.

A new pre-clinical “endodontic model”: Boon to learners.

This “in vitro model” containing extracted teeth was fabricated to simulate the oral conditions and to be used for teaching and training endodontic procedure to dental students in pre-clinics and dental surgeons in continuing dental education courses. Maxillary and mandibular models were made (from moulds using Agar duplicating material) from acrylic, plaster of paris (POP), saw dust and alginate. Extracted teeth provided similar anatomy and properties of tooth for training during access opening and biomechanical preparation. Mixture of POP and saw dust stabilized the teeth during exercise work, it also simulated the radiographic density of bone very closely and alginate, an electro-conductive material completed the electrical circuit simulating periodontal ligament needed for use of apex locators. This indigenous model can be very beneficial for the learners of endodontic techniques.

The Effect of an Apex Locator on Exposure to Radiation During Endodontic Therapy

The objective of this study was to investigate whether the use of an electronic apex locator results in a reduction in X-ray exposure during endodontic therapy. Fifty, sound, extracted, single-rooted canine and incisor teeth were selected and randomly divided into two groups (A and B) of 25 teeth. The working length was determined radiographically with (group B) and without (group A) adjunctive use of an apex locator by one operator. After working length determination, the teeth were sectioned and the actual working length measured for comparison. For group A, 14 retake radiographs were required to determine the working length, whereas group B required no retake radiographs; this difference was highly significant (p < 0.001). The electronic apex locator was extremely accurate in locating the apical foramen with all teeth tested within 0.5 mm of the anatomical apex and 11 (44%) teeth at the apical foramen. In contrast, 15 (60%) teeth tested using radiographs alone were within 0.5 mm of the anatomical apex and only 4 (16%) teeth were actually at the anatomical apex. It was concluded that using an electronic apex locator as an aid to endodontic therapy could potentially reduce the number of diagnostic radiographs required for working length determination. Location of the apical foramen using a combination of an electronic apex locator and radiographs to determine working length is more accurate than using radiographs alone.