title: Root canal length determination by different methods in primary teeth: an in vivo study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and compare the accuracy of root canal lengths (RCLs) in primary teeth using different clinical methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  RCLs of 70 extracted human primary single-rooted teeth were estimated in vivo by a calibrated investigator using the electronic apex locator (EAL) method, radiovisiography (RVG), conventional radiography (X-ray), and tactile sensation method (TSM). The teeth were categorized into Group 1 (G1; teeth without physiological root resorption [PRR]); Group 2 (G2; teeth with one-fourth apical PRR); and Group 3 (G3; teeth with one-fourth to three-fourths lingual PRR). RCLs determined by various in vivo methods were compared with the ex vivo actual root canal length method (ARCL), as determined by stereo-microscope. Data obtained were compared using analysis of variance, Newman-Keuls test, and Student's test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Groups 1 and 2, the mean RCL determined by EAL was closest to that of the gold standard ARCL, followed by RVG, X-ray, and TSM. In G3, the mean RCL determined by EAL was closest to ARCL, followed by TSM, RVG, and X-ray.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A fifth-generation electronic apex locator was found to be useful in accurately determining root canal lengths of primary teeth with or without physiological root resorption.
authors: Department of Pedodontics, Vidharbh Youth Welfare Society's Dental College and Hospital, Amravati, Maharastra, India. abhijitdwankhede@yahoo.in
authors: Abhijit Devidas
authors: AD
authors: Wankhade
authors: Rakesh
authors: R
authors: Kumar
authors: Rajeev Kumar
authors: RK
authors: Singh
authors: Anil
authors: A
authors: Chandra
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003481:Cuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055615:Electrical Equipment and Supplies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009811:Odontometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012391:Root Resorption / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology; D014962:X-Ray Film / Q000706:statistics & numerical data