Biomaterial Database

Accuracy of an electronic apex locator: a clinical evaluation in maxillary molars. 1993

J H Hembrough, and F S Weine, and J V Pisano, and N Eskoz

Department of Endodontics, Loyola University School of Dentistry, Maywood, IL 60153.

Identifying the point of apical termination in endodontic therapy is of indisputable importance. In this study, the accuracy of an electronic apex locator was clinically evaluated in 26 maxillary molar teeth, and comparisons were made to the radiographic and direct anatomical measurements of tooth length. The results indicated that a higher percentage of acceptable measurements were obtained by the radiographic method as compared with the electronic method (88.5% to 73.1%). Additionally, inaccurate electronic estimates were long in every instance. The results of this study do not support the replacement of radiographs with electronic devices in endodontic therapy.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008437	Maxilla	One of a pair of irregularly shaped bones that form the upper jaw. A maxillary bone provides tooth sockets for the superior teeth, forms part of the ORBIT, and contains the MAXILLARY SINUS.	Maxillae,Maxillary Bone,Bone, Maxillary,Bones, Maxillary,Maxillary Bones,Maxillas
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D008963	Molar	The most posterior teeth on either side of the jaw, totaling eight in the deciduous dentition (2 on each side, upper and lower), and usually 12 in the permanent dentition (three on each side, upper and lower). They are grinding teeth, having large crowns and broad chewing surfaces. (Jablonski, Dictionary of Dentistry, 1992, p821)	Molars
D009811	Odontometry	Measurement of tooth characteristics.
D003737	Dental Cavity Preparation	An operation in which carious material is removed from teeth and biomechanically correct forms are established in the teeth to receive and retain restorations. A constant requirement is provision for prevention of failure of the restoration through recurrence of decay or inadequate resistance to applied stresses. (Boucher's Clinical Dental Terminology, 4th ed, p239-40)	Cavity Preparation, Dental,Cavity Preparations, Dental,Dental Cavity Preparations,Preparation, Dental Cavity,Preparations, Dental Cavity
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
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368	Aged	A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available.	Elderly
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