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Evaluating the paper point technique for locating the apical foramen after canal preparation
Jose Luis Marcos-Arenal1, Eric M Rivera, Daniel J Caplan
1JLMA@live.com
Objective:
Despite not having been formally evaluated in the endodontic literature, claims have been made regarding the acceptability of the paper point technique (PPT) in estimating the location of the apical foramen (AF). Our aim was to investigate the repeatability and accuracy of PPT in estimating AF location in a cohort of dental patients.
Study Design:
Root canals with
Results:
The PPT was 0.5 mm short to 0.5 mm long of AF in 87% of the canals. Repeated measurements in a given canal were within 0.19 mm of each other 95% of the time.
Conclusion:
For relatively straight root canals, PPT appears to be similar to current clinically acceptable techniques in estimating AF location.
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