[Alternatives to radiography for determining root canal length]

Area of Science:

• Endodontic dentistry
• Dental imaging
• Root canal anatomy

Background:

• Accurate working length determination is crucial for successful endodontic treatment.
• Radiographs are traditionally used but have limitations in precision and radiation exposure.
• Electronic apex locators (EALs) offer a potential alternative for precise measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the accuracy of an electronic apex locator (EAL) for determining root canal working length.
• To assess the performance of the Neosono Co-pilote EAL in the presence of sodium hypochlorite and in dry canals.
• To determine the feasibility of performing endodontic treatment without radiographic determination of working length.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of working length measurements obtained by an EAL versus radiographs.
• Testing the Neosono Co-pilote's functionality in simulated endodontic conditions, including dry canals and the presence of sodium hypochlorite.
• Clinical assessment of treatment outcomes when using EAL for working length determination.

Main Results:

• The EAL provided more accurate apical foramen localization compared to radiographs alone.
• The Neosono Co-pilote demonstrated acceptable performance in dry canals.
• The EAL's accuracy was not adversely affected by the presence of sodium hypochlorite.

Conclusions:

• Electronic apex locators offer superior accuracy for working length determination in endodontics.
• The Neosono Co-pilote is a reliable tool for endodontic procedures, even in challenging conditions.
• Endodontic treatment can be effectively performed without the need for X-ray determination of working length.