Electronic apex locator determination of root canal length of permanent anterior teeth in children

Abstract

AbstractThe success of endodontic treatment depends on the correct obtaining of workinglength, and in Pediatric Dentistry, this procedure needs child's cooperation and exposethe children to x-ray radiation. The aim of the present study is to compare root canallength determined by tactile sensation, electronic apex locator YD-2 and digitalradiograph with that determined by conventional x-ray which is the most used andreliable method.The working length of 30 upper permanent central incisors, in children aged 10-12years old, estimated by tactile sensation, electronic apex locator YD-2 and digitalradiograph and the mean values of them compared by t-test with that obtained byconventional x-ray.High significant difference found between the mean value of root canal lengthmeasurements obtained by tactile sensation with that obtained by conventionalradiograph (P<0.01), while no significant difference found between the mean of apexlocator and digital radiographic readings with that obtained by conventionalradiography(P>0.05) indicating the similarity of mean values of these techniques.The use of electronic apex locator and digital radiograph are quite comparablewith conventional radiograph and could be useful in endodontic therapy for workinglength estimation in children.