EVALUATION AND COMPARISON OF RADIOVISIOGRAPHY AND APEX LOCATOR WITH CONVENTIONAL RADIOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR WORKING LENGTH ASSESSMENT OF PRIMARY TEETH: AN IN VIVO STUDY

Dr. Parul Singh and Dr. Amit Kumar Khajuria*2

ABSTRACT

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the Working length in primary teeth endodontics using intra oral digital radiovisiography and apex locator with conventional radiographic method for accuracy. Material and methods: 60 primary molars which were indicated for pulpectomy in the patients of the age group of 3-9 years were enrolled. A standardized conventional intraoral periapical radiograph was taken using by paralleling technique. The distance between the source and the tooth, tooth and the films were standardized using X-ray positioning device. In addition, working length estimation was also done using digital radiograph and apex locator. These measurements were then compared with the conventional method for accuracy. Results: The results obtained showed that working length estimated in primary molars using digital radiography and Apex locator depicted significant difference in the mean working length measurements when compared with the conventional radiographic method. Conclusion: Digital radiography & electronic apex locator can be safely used as alternatives to conventional radiographic methods in determining working length in primary teeth.

Keywords: Radiography, X-ray, Puplectomy, Working Length.