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. 2024 Sep 10;16(9):e69116.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.69116. eCollection 2024 Sep.

A Comparative Ex Vivo Study on Apex Locator Precision in Mature Teeth and Immature Teeth With Divergent Canals

Noam Kaufman  1 , Avia Fux Noy  2 , Iris Slutzky-Goldberg  3
Affiliations

A Comparative Ex Vivo Study on Apex Locator Precision in Mature Teeth and Immature Teeth With Divergent Canals

Noam Kaufman et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Aim: This study investigates the accuracy of an apex locator in mature and immature teeth with divergent root canals ex vivo.

Materials and methods: Fifty extracted premolar teeth were utilized for the study, with 25 mature teeth (Nolla stage 9 or 10) and 25 immature teeth (Nolla stages ≤ 8). The discrepancies between the actual length (AL) and the electronic length (EL), measured using a Bingo 1020 apex locator, were compared and analyzed. Statistical analysis included Pearson's correlation analysis, a T-test for independent samples, and multiple linear regression. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: The difference between AL and EL in immature teeth was significantly higher than in mature premolar teeth. Nonetheless, patient gender or jaw type (upper/lower) did not affect the accuracy of electronic apex locator (EAL) measurements.

Conclusion: EAL readings are less accurate in immature teeth than in mature teeth. Supplementary measures, such as radiographic length determination and wet-dry paper point tests, are required to confirm the working length for improved treatment outcomes and patient compliance.

Keywords: accuracy; electronic apex locators; ex vivo; immature teeth; tooth development.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Hadassah Medical Center Ethics Committee issued approval HMO-21-0583. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Comparison of the difference between actual length and electronic length of mature and immature (Nolla ≤ 8) teeth
The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). AL: actual length; EL: electronic length
Figure 2
Figure 2. Patients' ages and the accuracy of apex locators reading
More accurate readings were observed in older patients. The lengths were measured in millimeters. AL: actual length; EL: electronic length
Figure 3
Figure 3. Binding of a file in a divergent root canal
Binding of the file in a divergent root canal is expected to occur 2-3 mm coronal than the apical foramen. Credit: Iris Slutzky-Godlberg
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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