A critical analysis of research methods and experimental models to study working length determination and the performance of apex locators –A narrative review with recommendations for the future

ElAyouti, Ashraf, Connert, Thomas, Dummer, Paul ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0726-7467 and Löst, Claus 2022. A critical analysis of research methods and experimental models to study working length determination and the performance of apex locators –A narrative review with recommendations for the future. International Endodontic Journal 55 (S2) , pp. 281-294. 10.1111/iej.13738

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (3MB)

Abstract

Outcome studies have repeatedly shown that the apical endpoint of root canal preparation and filling is a determinate factor for the outcome of root canal treatment. Accurate determination of root canal length enhances the efficacy of chemo-mechanical disinfection and prevents over-/under-instrumentation and over-/under-filling in relation to the canal terminus. Long and short root canal fillings are consistently reported to be associated with higher rates of post-treatment endodontic disease. Although standards for undertaking and reporting diagnostic accuracy studies are available, publications dealing with the determination of root canal length are highly heterogeneous and describe procedures inconsistently. The aim of this review is to critically assess the methodology of publications in the past three decades. The process of planning, performing and analysing working length studies are presented stepwise with suggestions to optimize research methods.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Dentistry
Additional Information:	This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	0143-2885
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	5 July 2022
Date of Acceptance:	21 March 2022
Last Modified:	05 May 2023 05:52
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/151059

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item