Although the available scientific evidence base is short and at considerable risk of bias , it is still possible to conclude that the apical locator reduces the patient radiation exposure and also that the electronic method may perform better on the working length determination .
INTRODUCTION Apical constriction has been proposed as the most appropriate apical limit for the endodontic working length .
Despite being the most used , some limitations are attributed to the radiographic method of working length determination .
It lacks precision because it is based on the average position of the apical constriction .
The electronic apex locators have been presented as an alternative to the odontometry performed by radiography .
These devices detect the transition of the pulp to the periodontal tissue , which is anatomically very close to the apical constriction and may perform with improved accuracy .
Accuracy of an electronic apex locator: a clinical evaluation in maxillary molars.
Identifying the point of apical termination in endodontic therapy is of indisputable importance . In this study , the accuracy of an electronic apex locator was clinical ly evaluated in 26 maxillary molar teeth , and comparisons were made to the radiographic and direct anatomical measurements of tooth length . The results indicated that a higher percentage of acceptable measurements were obtained by the radiographic method as compared with the electronic method ( 88.5 % to 73.1 % ) . Additionally , inaccurate electronic estimates were long in every instance . The results of this study do not support the replacement of radiographs with electronic devices in endodontic therapy
Although the available scientific evidence base is short and at considerable risk of bias , it is still possible to conclude that the apical locator reduces the patient radiation exposure and also that the electronic method may perform better on the working length determination .
INTRODUCTION Apical constriction has been proposed as the most appropriate apical limit for the endodontic working length .
Despite being the most used , some limitations are attributed to the radiographic method of working length determination .
It lacks precision because it is based on the average position of the apical constriction .
The electronic apex locators have been presented as an alternative to the odontometry performed by radiography .
These devices detect the transition of the pulp to the periodontal tissue , which is anatomically very close to the apical constriction and may perform with improved accuracy .