Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2025
Guided Endodontics: Three-Dimensional Planning and Template-Aided Preparation of Endodontic Access Cavities
Published on: May 24, 2022
Accuracy of apical limit control during retreatment provided by hybrid electronic foraminal locators: A micro-CT
Luciana Maria Arcanjo Frota1, Raimundo Sales de Oliveira-Neto2, Ana Grasiela Limoeiro2
1Post-graduate Program in Dentistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Background:
This study investigated the accuracy and reliability of apical limit control in endodontic retreatment using hybrid endodontic motors.
Material And Methods:
Thirty-six mesial canals of mandibular molars were accessed, and their apical foramina (AF) were standardized to 200 µm. Chemical-mechanical preparation was performed with WaveOne Gold instruments (#20/.07), followed by obturation with gutta-percha and AH Plus cement. After initial preparation, the teeth were divided into three groups (n = 12): Root ZX II (RZX), VDW Gold (VDW) and Tri Auto ZX2 (TRZX), all in rotary kinematics and with AF as the limit (0.0). Exposure was performed in the crown-down direction with ProTaper retreatment instruments using 2.5% NaOCl as an irrigation solution. Before using the instruments, the apexes of the teeth were immersed in alginate. With the auto-stop function activated, the hybrid instruments were calibrated to stop rotating when the desired apical limit was reached. The last instrument was fixed in the canal and a micro-computed tomography scan was performed to determine the distance between the instrument tip and the AF. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (P<0.05).
Results:
No significant differences were found between the RZX (0.10 mm), Gold (0.13 mm) and TRZX (0.27 mm) devices; accuracy ranged from 91.70% (RZX and VDW) to 63.63% (TRZX). TRZX had the highest number of readings besides AF.
Conclusions:
It was concluded that all devices studied were efficient in maintaining the apical limit of instrumentation during endodontic retreatment when taken to the AF. Key words:Endodontics, Electronic odontometry, Endodontic retreatment.
