Title: In Vitro Study Comparing the Efficacy of Radiograph and Apex Locator in Determining Working Length in Human Maxillary Molars
Authors: Dr Priyadarshini Shetty, Dr Dinesh Shetty MDS, Dr Leena Padhye MDS
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i3.35
Abstract
The objective of this invitro study was to find out if a buccal curve in the palatal roots of maxillary molars affected the clinician’s ability to accurately determine working length. 30 extracted intact human maxillary 1st and 2nd molars were sorted by palatal root curvatures as J and C type and angle of curvature was determined using Schneider’s method.
Straight line access was made and a No #20 file was placed into the canal until the tip was visible at the apical foramen under stereomicroscope. The file, tooth and calibration wire were radiographed on one image using the RVG system and the actual (file) and radiographic (tooth) length were determined using the RVG digital ruler. The same No# 20 file was used with apex locator to record Apex locator length (EL).
Result showed radiographic length (RL) appeared shorter on average than actual length (AL) and apex locator length (EL). A statistically significant difference was seen between the actual length and radiographic length as the degree of curvature increases. Also there was no significant difference between the J type and C type curve. The use of apex locator is a valuable adjunct for working length determination especially in case of palatal root of maxillary molars.
