Clinical evaluation of the measuring accuracy of ROOT ZX in primary teeth.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of an electronic device (Root ZX; Morita, Tokyo, Japan) for measuring the root canal length in primary teeth.


METHODS
The pulp tissue was removed from 71 nonrestorable teeth scheduled to be extracted under general anesthesia, and the root canals (n = 105) were irrigated (H(2)O(2), 3%; NaOCl, 1%). Subsequently, the length was determined clinically with the electronic device prior to extraction. Treatments were performed by 2 dentists (42 and 63 root canals). After extraction, the real length was recorded and the 2 measurements were compared.


RESULTS
Measurements were affected significantly by the dentists (P < .01; chi(2)). However, regression analysis revealed sufficient accuracy of the device, with a tendency to estimate the root canal length just short (x = -0.98 +/- 1.75 mm) of the apex. These results were not influenced by tooth type, root canal type, status of the periapex, or clinical condition (P > .05; chi(2)).


CONCLUSIONS
Root ZX can be strongly recommended for clinical implementation of endodontics in primary teeth, particularly when treating fidgety children.
Kielbassa
Andrej M
AM
Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, University School of Dental Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany. Kielbassa@medizin.fu-berlin.de
Muller
Ursula
U
Munz
Inka
I
Monting
Jürgen Schulte
JS
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000295:instrumentation; D003762:Dental Instruments; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D015588:Observer Variation; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009811:Odontometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012391:Root Resorption / Q000473:pathology; D019227:Tooth Apex; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000473:pathology