What is a root apex locator?
What is a root apex locator?
An electronic apex locator is an electronic device used in endodontics determine the position of the apical constriction and thus determine the length of the root canal space.
How accurate is apex locator?
Figure 4
| Apex locators | Constriction | |
|---|---|---|
| ±0.1 mm | ±0.5 mm | |
| Mini Apex Locator® | 49% (38–59%) | 98% (92–99%) |
| ProPex® II | 49% (38–59%) | 95% (88–98%) |
| Prototype (VDW) | 38% (29–49%) | 90% (82–95%) |
What does the apex locator show?
Apex locators can be used to determine if the perforation communicates with the periodontal membrane, This is based on Sunada’s2 findings that the electrical resistance between the mucous membrane and the periodontium can be considered to have a constant relationship.
Does apex locator work on extracted teeth?
6 Some studies indicate that in 75% of the teeth in which the instrument is positioned next to the radiographic apex, it has in fact surpassed the apical foramen. 2 For this reason, in this study we used extracted teeth, and by doing so it was possible to determine the actual root canal length by the direct method.
What is the beeping during a root canal?
Apex Locators During your root canal you will hear some soft beeping from an instrument called an apex locator. This is a digital devise that is used to determine the length of your canals. With an accuracy of more than 96% this device allows our doctors to thoroughly clean and disinfect the entire root.
How do you calibrate an apex locator?
Make sure that you are getting your initial reading by taking your file a little long to read the PDL, then back up your file short of working length, then re-advance it to your zero zero. This will “calibrate” your apex locator and will give you a more accurate reading.
How do I check my working length with apex locator?
The best working length is found by subtracting approximately 0.5 mm from the length obtained with the apex locator. It is important to know that there is potential for interference of an electronic apex locator with a patient’s cardiac pacemaker function.
What is the use of apex locator in dentistry?
An electronic apex locator was used to determine length and control apical bridge formation in the treatment of teeth with incomplete root formation.
What is the use of gutta percha?
Gutta-percha is a material used to fill a tooth after a root canal procedure. Gutta-percha, a plastic substance from a Malaysian tree called a percha tree, is used as a permanent filling in root canals.
How do I know how long my root canal will work?
There are several ways to determine the working length of the root canal viz radiographs, electronic apex locators, tactile sense, patient response, knowledge and experience, predetermined normal tooth length, use of paper points, mathematical equations etc.
