Comparison of Working Length Determination by Apex Locator and Cone Beam Computed Tomography (An in Vivo Study)

Abstract

Background: A working length (WL) is defined as the distance from a coronal reference point to the point at which canal preparation and filling should terminate. Aim: The aim of our study was to compare the accuracy of tooth length measures using: electronic apex locator, CBCT, actual length using image J software (gold standard).Materials and Methods: A total of 20 anterior upper and lower teeth were selected for the study and were measured using EALs and CBCT scans. EALs measurements were done in in-vivo conditions then the teeth were extracted to compare the results of the EALs and the CBCT scans to the actual tooth length by using image j software acting as a gold standard.Results: Results were statistically analyed using one way ANOVA test of variance. It was found that there was a statistically significant difference between the measurements obtained from both EALs and the image J measurment. In addition to that, there was a statistically significant difference between the measurements obtained from the CBCT scans and the EALs. CBCT measurments were more accurate than EAL.Conclusion: CBCT considered a reliable tool for working length determination, new software improve the accuracy of working length determination, APEX locator still considered the gold standard tool for working length determination.Keywords: Working Length Determination, Apex Locator, Cone Beam Computed Tomography