Biomaterial Database

An instrument for measuring root canal length and apex location. A rapid technique. 1982

M M Negm

The invention of a new instrument (the Apexfinder) for measuring the root length and apex location is reported. This instrument is an accurate and reliable tool for the apex determination. The application method is based on the insertion of a plastic, fine-tapered barbed shaft through a beveled tube into the root canal. When resistance to withdrawal is felt, which indicates that one of the barbs has engaged the apical margin, the shaft is marked at the level of the cusp tip. The distance between the mark and the barbs which caused the resistance is measured. These barbs will show apical inclination, which would be opposite to the direction of the rest of the barbs. The practitioner can rely on this technique in the majority of cases provided that a full range of plastic shafts, with different dimensions, is available for use with the outer tube.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D003786	Dental Pulp Cavity	The space in a tooth bounded by the dentin and containing the dental pulp. The portion of the cavity within the crown of the tooth is the pulp chamber; the portion within the root is the pulp canal or root canal.	Pulp Canal,Pulp Chamber,Root Canal,Cavities, Dental Pulp,Cavity, Dental Pulp,Dental Pulp Cavities,Pulp Cavities, Dental,Pulp Cavity, Dental,Canal, Pulp,Canal, Root,Canals, Pulp,Canals, Root,Chamber, Pulp,Chambers, Pulp,Pulp Canals,Pulp Chambers,Root Canals
D004708	Endodontics	A dental specialty concerned with the maintenance of the dental pulp in a state of health and the treatment of the pulp cavity (pulp chamber and pulp canal).	Endodontology
D004867	Equipment Design	Methods and patterns of fabricating machines and related hardware.	Design, Equipment,Device Design,Medical Device Design,Design, Medical Device,Designs, Medical Device,Device Design, Medical,Device Designs, Medical,Medical Device Designs,Design, Device,Designs, Device,Designs, Equipment,Device Designs,Equipment Designs
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012390	Root Canal Therapy	A treatment modality in endodontics concerned with the therapy of diseases of the dental pulp. For preparatory procedures, ROOT CANAL PREPARATION is available.	Therapy, Root Canal,Canal Therapies, Root,Canal Therapy, Root,Root Canal Therapies,Therapies, Root Canal
D014092	Tooth Root	The part of a tooth from the neck to the apex, embedded in the alveolar process and covered with cementum. A root may be single or divided into several branches, usually identified by their relative position, e.g., lingual root or buccal root. Single-rooted teeth include mandibular first and second premolars and the maxillary second premolar teeth. The maxillary first premolar has two roots in most cases. Maxillary molars have three roots. (Jablonski, Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992, p690)	Root, Tooth,Roots, Tooth,Tooth Roots