title: Evaluation of the Reliability of Cone-beam Computed Tomography Scanning and Electronic Apex Locator Measurements in Working Length Determination of Teeth with Large Periapical Lesions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluates the endodontic working-length measurements in teeth with large periapical lesions and persistent intracanal exudate by using preexisting cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). It compares the measurements with clinical root canal lengths determined by using 2 electronic apex locators.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients had undergone a CBCT scan independent of the present study and needed root canal treatment of at least 1 tooth visible in the field of view. Seventy-three teeth with single roots and canals were studied. An endodontist measured each root canal length with 2 different electronic apex locators. The measurements were repeated 3 times by using a digital caliper, and the mean was recorded. This mean was compared with the root canal length as measured on CBCT sections by an oral radiologist not involved in the endodontic treatment. The CBCT measurements were taken twice for analysis of intrarater reliability. The data were statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant measurement differences between the methods used (P > .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In teeth with large periapical lesions and persistent intracanal exudate, measurement of the root canal length by using CBCT was as reliable as measurements that used apex locators.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey. Electronic address: dtyakupustun@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yakup
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Üstün
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tuğrul
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aslan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet Ercan
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Şekerci
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sağsen
mesh_terms: D001641:Bicuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003481:Cuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D009811:Odontometry / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Apex locator; Propex Pixi; Raypex 6; cone-beam computed tomography; large periapical lesion; root canal length measurement