Clinical Evaluation of Effect of Case Series Instrument Size and Type on the Accuracy of Electronic Apex Locator on Upper Premolars

• Main Authors: Basawaraj Channabasappa Biradar, Sudharani Basawaraj Biradar, Sai S Kalyan, Rashmikumar B Vora, Arvind Mohan Subramani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2017-11-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
• Subjects: ingle’s method; niti files; stainless steel files; working length
• Online Access: https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/10745/31271_CE(Ra1)_F(SS)_PF1(PB_SS)_PFA(MJ_AP).pdf
• ISSN: 2249-782X; 0973-709X

Introduction: Root canal treatment is a standard procedure for pulpal diseases and dental injuries. Working length determination is significantly important for successful outcome of root canal treatment. Aim: The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the effect of instrument Size and Type on the accuracy of Electronic Apex Locator (EAL) on upper premolars. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty root canals from 98 patients scheduled for endodontic treatment were included in this study and informed consent was obtained. Electronic measurements were made using Root ZX apex locator with stainless steel ISO k-file #8, #10, #15 and Nickel Titanium (NiTi) ISO k-file #8, #10, #15 in sequence and also radiographic length was measured. Statistical analysis was analysed with One-way ANOVA and Post-Hoc Tukey HSD tests. Results: It was found that a highly significant difference was found between Ingle’s method and apex locator measured with stainless steel and NiTi #8 files and significant difference with Ingle’s method and apex locator measured with NiTi#10. There was no significant difference found between Ingle’s method and apex locator measured with stainless steel and NiTi #15 files and stainless steel #10 file. Conclusion: Stainless steel files showed more accurate results compared to their corresponding NiTi files. This study has concluded that the use of steel instruments whose size corresponds to master apical file brings the best results.