Comparative role of radiographs and electronic apex locator in working length determination

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to correlate the measurements of radiographic and electronic methods of working length determination with the directly observed visual length of root canals. It was a Quasi experimental intervention study carried out over a period of one year in the Department of Operative Dentistry, Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore. 100 patients who were advised extraction of their premolar teeth with 119 canals were selected by convenience sampling. The Root ZX apex locator was used to measure the root canal length. Reference points were marked and a working length radiograph was also taken. The tooth was extracted. The actual length of the root canal was then determined using the same files and points of reference. Independent samples t-test was applied to compare the actual working length with the length measured by radiograph and electronic apex locator. The Root ZX was 94.1% accurate to within 0.5mm of the apical constriction as compared to 50.4% accuracy given by radiographs