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

TL;DR

This study compares the accuracy of an electronic apex locator in mature and immature teeth with divergent canals.

Contribution

The study reveals that apex locators are less accurate in immature teeth compared to mature teeth.

Findings

Apex locator readings were less accurate in immature teeth than in mature teeth.

Gender or jaw type did not influence the accuracy of the apex locator measurements.

Supplementary methods like radiography are needed for accurate working length determination in immature teeth.

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.

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