A clinical evaluation of two electronic apex locators and conventional radiography in working length determination in primary molar and its influence on children's behavioral responses.

BACKGROUND

Accurate root canal length determination, simplicity of the procedure, and patient's cooperation are important determinants in the success of endodontic treatment in primary teeth.

AIM

The aim of the study was to clinically compare the accuracy of Propex Pixi and Formatron D10 apex locators with conventional radiography in determining working length in mandibular primary second molars with and without varying degrees of physiological root resorption.

DESIGN

A nonrandomized clinical trial was conducted in 115 mandibular primary second molars indicated for pulpectomy in 90 pediatric dental patients. A single calibrated examiner determined the working length by conventional radiographic method and electronic apex locator (EAL) methods in a total of 376 canals. Behavior of the children during execution of each method in each tooth was recorded using the Frankl's behavior rating scale. The data obtained were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Significant correlation (intraclass correlation = 0.80 and 0.81, P < 0.001) could be detected between working length measurements obtained using Propex Pixi and Formatron D10 and measurements obtained using conventional radiography. Higher percentage of negative behaviors (negative and definitely negative) was observed during the conventional radiographic method (68.6%) as opposed to the Propex Pixi (16.5%) and Formatron D10 (20.8%) methods.

CONCLUSIONS

Both the apex locators were as accurate as conventional radiography in determining working length in primary teeth; Formatron D10 being more accurate than Propex Pixi. The EALs were far better accepted by children than conventional radiography.