title: Electronic working length determination in primary teeth by ProPex and Digital Signal Processing.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of electronic apex locators Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and ProPex, for root canal length determination in primary teeth. Fifteen primary molars (a total of 34 root canals) were divided into two groups: Group I - without physiological resorption (n = 16); and Group II - with physiological resorption (n = 18). The length of each canal was measured by introducing a file until its tip was visible and then it was retracted 1 mm. For electronic measurement, the devices were set to 1 mm short of the apical resorption. The data were analysed statistically using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results showed that the ICC was high for both electronic apex locators in all situations - with (ICC: DSP = 0.82 and Propex = 0.89) or without resorption (ICC: DSP = 0.92 and Propex = 0.90). Both apex locators were extremely accurate in determining the working length in primary teeth, both with or without physiological resorption.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Clinic, Preventive and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nelson-Filho
authors.forename: Marcela Pacífico
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Lucisano
authors.forename: Mário Roberto
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Leonardo
authors.forename: Raquel Assed Bezerra
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Léa Assed Bezerra
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: da Silva
mesh_terms: D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009811:Odontometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012391:Root Resorption; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000033:anatomy & histology*