An investigation into the measurement of the working length of immature incisor teeth requiring endodontic treatment in children

Abstract

A study was undertaken to determine if a tactile technique, using absorbent paper points, could be used to estimate the working length of nonvital immature incisor teeth undergoing endodontic treatment. Two operators were involved in measuring 35 incisor teeth. The tactile technique was found to be valid and reliable. In 95% of the cases the estimated working length was within 1 mm of the radiographic diagnostic length. It is recommended that diagnostic radiographs are no longer necessary in the majority of cases involving endodontic treatment of incisor teeth requiring root end closure in children, for practitioners who are regularly carrying out endodontic treatment of immature incisor teeth. However, if a tooth has been on open drainage a diagnostic radiograph is still required.