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

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Abstract

Aim

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.

Methods

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.

Results

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).

Conclusion

The use of apex locators was superior to the radiographic method and the Root ZX II was the most effective.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) for financial support (finance code: 001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, 88040-900, Brazil

    L. Z. Adriano

  2. Federal University of Santa Catarina, João Pio Duarte Silva, 114-505 B, Córrego Grande, 88037-000, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

    J. C. Barasuol

  3. Federal University of Santa Catarina, Praça Padre José de Anchieta, 333, Córrego Grande, Florianópolis, SC, 88037-255, Brazil

    M. Cardoso

  4. Federal University of Santa Catarina, Comandante Constantino Nicolau Spyrides, 3770-304 A, Agronômica, Florianópolis, SC, 88025-002, Brazil

    M. Bolan

Authors
  1. L. Z. Adriano
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  2. J. C. Barasuol
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  3. M. Cardoso
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  4. M. Bolan
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Correspondence to J. C. Barasuol.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest related to this study.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee (Process no. 2572237) and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Adriano, L.Z., Barasuol, J.C., Cardoso, M. et al. In vitro comparison between apex locators, direct and radiographic techniques for determining the root canal length in primary teeth. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 20, 403–408 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-018-00413-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-018-00413-5

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