[In vitro evaluation of correlation between the size of apical foramen and the accuracy of root ZX].
OBJECTIVE
The study was designed to investigate the relationship between the accuracy of Root ZX and the size of apical foramen, when the apical constrictions were intact or not. Methods Lengths were taken when the needle reached the '0.5' mark and 'APEX' mark on the Root ZX. The electronic apex locator (EAL)-measured canal working length (L2) and EAL-measured canal length (L1) were then compared with the actual canal working length (L') and actual canal length (L). Besides, the areas of apical foramens CS) were measured when the apical constriction were intact or not. Then the measurement deviations and the areas of apical foramens were analyzed by linear correlation and linear regression using the software SPSS 12.0. Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05.


RESULTS
There were no significantly correlations between the area of apical foramen and the accuracy of Root ZX if the apical constriction was intact (P > 0.05). However, the accuracy of Root ZX and the size of apical foramen had significant negative correlation when the apical constriction was destroyed (P < 0.001). Then the linear regression was completed, and the linear regression equation was deltaL2 = -0.623 + 6.5965, so the critical area of the apical foramen was 0.135 mm2 if the tolerant error was set at 0.5 mm according to the statistic control.


CONCLUSIONS
The size of apical foramen has little effect on the accuracy of Root ZX if the apical constriction is intact. However the measurements of Root ZX should be used carefully when the apical constriction was destroyed.
Cheng
Lei
L
State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Su
Qin
Q
Huang
Yun-xia
YX
D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009811:Odontometry; D018915:Root Canal Preparation; D019227:Tooth Apex; D014092:Tooth Root