title: Accuracy of an electronic apex locator: a clinical evaluation in maxillary molars.
abstract: Identifying the point of apical termination in endodontic therapy is of indisputable importance. In this study, the accuracy of an electronic apex locator was clinically evaluated in 26 maxillary molar teeth, and comparisons were made to the radiographic and direct anatomical measurements of tooth length. The results indicated that a higher percentage of acceptable measurements were obtained by the radiographic method as compared with the electronic method (88.5% to 73.1%). Additionally, inaccurate electronic estimates were long in every instance. The results of this study do not support the replacement of radiographs with electronic devices in endodontic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Loyola University School of Dentistry, Maywood, IL 60153.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hembrough
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Weine
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Pisano
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eskoz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009811:Odontometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology