title: The efficiency and reliability of the Dentometer for detecting root canal length.
abstract: The accuracies of an analog-indicating electronic device, the Dentometer, and of an audio-indicating device, the Sono-Explorer, were compared to each other and to the radiographic method of tooth length determination. Readings obtained by the Dentometer were shorter, an average of 0.28 +/- 0.64 mm than those obtained by the Sono-Explorer (p less than 0.001) and 0.32 +/- 0.63 mm shorter than the results obtained by the calculated working length (p less than 0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between the readings of the Sono-Explorer and the calculated radiographic working length. The results indicate that the measurements calculated by the radiographic method were longer than those obtained by the electronic method of tooth length determination. The statistically significant difference found between the two devices indicates that to determine the accuracy of electronic devices, they should be tested and compared to other methods or devices.
authors.affiliation: Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: A Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Szajkis
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Niv
mesh_terms: D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009811:Odontometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D011859:Radiography; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013016:Sound; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging