1Post Graduate Student, Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Inderprastha Dental College & Hospital, Sahibabad
2Professor & HOD, Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Inderprastha Dental College & Hospital, Sahibabad
3Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Inderprastha Dental College & Hospital, Sahibabad
4Senior Lecturer, Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Inderprastha Dental College & Hospital, Sahibabad
The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the working length of the teeth accurately using two apex locators and conventional radiographs on patients who had to undergo root canal treatment.
120 mandibular premolars were selected in 120 patients. The pre-operative radiograph for the indicated tooth was taken using paralleling technique. The teeth were divided into 3 groups (n=40 each). A size 10 k-file was apically advanced up to the estimated working length in group 1(Conventional radiograph) and radiograph was taken. In group 2(Root ZX Mini), a size 10 k-file was advanced apically until the screen showed the apex. The same procedure was repeated for group 3 (Propex II) as in group 2. Biomechanical preparation was done till F2 followed by placement of master cone. The radiographs of master cone in each case were then evaluated by two observers who were blinded to group allocation. The collected data was subjected to statistical analysis using Pearson Chi-square test.
The p value was 0.134635 for observer 1 and 0.213552 for observer 2 for the three tested groups. On comparison between the two apex locators the results were p= 0.059604. The results were not significant at p >0.05. Hence, there was no statistical difference between the three tested groups or between the two tested EALs.
All the three tested groups can be used for working length determination as there was no significant difference between them.
Radiographs, Root ZX Mini, Propex II, EAL
