Hook up your apex locator and place the tip of the k-file into the catch. If you get a reading that the apex has been reached, you might be dealing with a perforation. This can be confirmed with radiographs. (Ensure the file is not touching a metallic restoration as this will give the same result.)
Full Answer
What is an apex locator?
... An Apex locator is an electronic device used in endodontics to determine the length of the Root Canal. [3] The fundamental electronic oper-ating principles are often unknown and a matter of controversy.
How do I calibrate my 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. Let’s sum it up!
How accurate are electronic apex locators in single-rooted teeth?
The study was performed to compare the accuracy of three different electronic apex locators in single-rooted teeth in vitro, in which the following key points were concluded: The use of an electronic apex locator is a reliable and accurate method in determining working length.
What should I do if my apex locator is chirping?
Tip #3: Pull your file away from metal fillings or crowns before taking your reading. When your apex locator is in use, make sure your file is away from the sides of the tooth, any metal fillings or crowns. Again, if your apex locator is chirping at you, something’s up!
How do I get an accurate apex locator reading?
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 use apex locator?
4:579:07Apex Locator Tips for the General Dentist - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd i'll push pressure against the tooth and slide my rubber stop down to the working length. AndMoreAnd i'll push pressure against the tooth and slide my rubber stop down to the working length. And let's just recheck to make sure it hasn't moved.
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.
Is apex locator accurate?
Apex locators showed equal or higher accuracy than radiographic in many in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro studies [17–19]. These locators are useful when the apical portion of the canal system is hidden by some anatomical structures.
What does apex locator detect?
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 do you test an electric pulp?
The pulp tester is applied to the middle third of the tooth, avoiding contact with the soft tissues, and any restorations. A lip electrode is placed over the patient's lip. If the pulp is vital the patient describes feeling a sensation which is variously described as tingling, vibration, pain, shock.
How do I calculate my working length?
The traditional way of determining working length is by taking radiographs with files in the canals. Where canals overlap, as in the mesial canals of lower molars, the radiograph can be taken with an increased horizontal angulation to separate the canals.
How do you measure the length of a canal?
tooth: (1) an X-ray is taken with a measuring wire inserted into the canal, and then the length of the root canal is estimated by establishing a ratio between the length of the tooth over the length of wire inserted with the lengths found on the film; (2) an instrument is inserted to detect the apex by the feel of the ...
How does apex locator detect perforation?
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.
Which generation apex locator is best?
For a clinician, looking for high accuracy and reliability in their WL determination, the fourth generation apex locators would be the most ideal, for they can be trusted upon the most.
How does the Root ZX work?
The circuit of Root ZX is mainly based on detecting the changes in electrical capacitance in the vicinity of the AF. It works by calculating the impedance ratio of two simultaneously produced frequencies (0.4 and 8 kHz). The ratio represents a definite value that reflects the file position inside the canal.
How do you measure working length in RCT?
There are 7 methods commonly used in determining the working Length of a Root canal during Root canal Treatment Procedure....Non-radiographical methods of Working Length determination:Tactile Sense.Apical periodontal sensitivity.Paper point method.Electronic Apex Locator.
Which size of file is the best with an apex locator?
Based on this result, it can be suggested that size 15 K-file is a more suitable size for determining working length using Raypex 5 apex locator. The range of ± 0.5 mm to the foramen has been considered as the strictest acceptable range. Thus, measurements attained within this tolerance are considered highly accurate.
Which generation apex locator is best?
For a clinician, looking for high accuracy and reliability in their WL determination, the fourth generation apex locators would be the most ideal, for they can be trusted upon the most.
What is the importance of obtaining an estimated working length during the root canal procedure?
Accurate determination of working length is an essential part of the process. The outcome of endodontic treatment is significantly lower if the root filling is long or short, or if it is not possible to achieve patency. Over-instrumentation can also lead to complications and postoperative pain.
What does it mean when your apex locator is chirping?
Again, if your apex locator is chirping at you, something’s up! It could be that your file is in contact with metal while you are using it.
How to get a more accurate PDL reading?
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.
What is an apex locator?
Apex Locators are the instruments used in Endodontics to determine the Working length in Root Canal Treatment as an adjunct to Radiography. They are used to locate the Apical foramen by determining the Apical constriction or Cementodentinal junction. These are divided into 4 types based on the way the apex is located.
How does a 2nd generation apex locator work?
They work by measuring opposition to flow of alternating current or impedance.
How does a frequency dependent apex locator work?
They are also called as Frequency dependent apex locator. Works on the principle of frequency or Comparitive impedence. They are based on the fact that different sites in canal give difference in impedance between high (8 KHz) and low (400 Hz) frequencies.The difference in impedance is least in the coronal part of canal. As the probe goes deeper into canal, difference increases. It is the greatest at cemento dentinal junction.
What are the disadvantages of a second generation apex locator?
A major disadvantage of second generation apex locator is that root canal has to be free of electro-conductive materials to obtain accurate readings. Presence of electro-conductive materials to obtain accurate readings.
Can apex locators measure capacitance and resistance separately?
These measure the resistance and capacitance separately rather than the resultant impedance value. There can be difference in the combination of values of capacitance and resistance that provides the same impedance, thus the same foraminal reading. But by using 4th generation apex locators this can be broken down into primary components and measures saperately for better accuracy and thus less chances of occurance of errors.
What is the Apex locator used for?
... ... An Apex locator is an electronic device used in endodontics to determine the length of the Root Canal. [3] .
Where is the apex locator?
The apex locators are attached to the patient's lip on one side and the other side is attached to the file. The file is
What is the purpose of an electronic apex locator?
Electronic apex locators reduce the number of radiographs required and assist where radiographic methods create difficulty. The use of an electronic apex locator in combination with the radiograph is greater precision in the determination of root canal length. The aim of this paper is to review the electronic determination of the length of the root canal.
Can an apex locator be used for tooth root closure?
Electronic apex locators may be used as auxilliary devices in controlling apical hard tissue closure in the treatment of teeth with incomplete root formation.
Which is the most reliable apex locator?
The Raypex 6 electronic apex locator is most reliable in the determination of working length, followed by the Propex II electronic apex locator and the Root ZX II electronic apex locator.
What was the first method of measuring root length?
In 1918, Custer was the first to report the use of an electric current to determine working length. In 1962, Sunada reported that there is a constant value (6.5k ohms) of electrical resistance between the mucous membrane and the periodontium and stated that it is possible to use this value of resistance in the estimation of root length. Additionally, he demonstrated that if an endodontic instrument is connected to an ohm meter — introduced into the canal and advanced until the ohm meter shows the value of 40 ohms — the tip of the instrument has reached the periodontal ligament at the apical foramen. The device utilized by Sunada in his research became the basis for electronic apex locators. 3
Is an apex locator reliable?
The use of an electronic apex locator is a reliable and accurate method in determining working length. There is a minor difference between actual working length taken by a stereo microscope and working length taken by electronic apex locator. 12.
Is an apex locator more accurate than a radiograph?
Studies also have stated that the use of an electronic apex locator for working length determination is a much easier procedure and more accurate than taking the working length measurements with a radiograph and a file within the canal. An added benefit is minimization of radiation exposure to the patient.
