2. WORKING LENGTH:
According to endodontic
glossary working length is
defined as “ the distance
from a coronal reference
point to a point at which
canal preparation and
obturation should
terminate”
3. REFERENCE POINT: is
that site on occlusal or the
incisal surface from which
measurements are made.
ANATOMIC APEX: tip or
end of root determined
morphologically
4. RADIOGRAPHIC APEX: tip or end
of root determined
radiographically.
APICAL FORAMEN (major
diameter): is main apical opening
of the root canal. It is frequently
eccentrically located away from the
anatomic or radiographic apex.
APICAL CONSTRICTION (minor
diameter): is apical portion of root
canal having narrowest diameter. It
is usually 0.5 to 1 mm short of apical
foramen.
5. CEMENTODENTINAL JUNCTION: the region where
cementum and dentin are united, the point at which
cemental surface terminates at or near the apex of tooth.
Location of CDJ ranges from 0.5-3mm short of anatomic
apex.
6. Determines how far into canal, instruments can be placed
and worked.
Consequences Of Over ExtendedWorking Length:
Perforation through apical constriction.
Overinstrumentation
Overfilling of root canal
Increased incidence of postoperative pain.
Prolonged healing period
Lower success rate (because of incomplete regeneration
of cementum, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone
7. Consequences Of Working Short of actual working Length
Incomplete cleaning & instrumentation of canal.
Persistent discomfort due to presence of pulpal remnants
Under filling of the root canal.
Incomplete apical seal.
Apical leakage which supports existence of viable bacteria
and contributes to poor healing and periradicular lesion
8. Causes of loss of working length:
Presence of debris in apical 2/3rd of canal
Failure to maintain apical patency
Skipping instrument sizes
Ledge formation
Inadequate irrigation
Instrument separation
canal blockage
9. Definition: Working width is defined as “initial and
postinstrumentation horizontal dimensions of the root canal
system at working length and other levels”
the minimum initial working width= initial apical file size
which binds at working length and other levels
The maximum final working width corresponds to the
master apical file size
10. Reasons for widening root canal:
To remove microorganism from the canal mechanically
To increase the area of root canal for better irrigation
To completely remove the pulp tissue
To attain a sound apical stop so as to achieve a 3
dimensional seal.The round shape confirms to the round
cross sectional tip of gutta percha
11. 2 guidelines for instrumentation:
Enlarge the root canal atleast 3 sizes beyond the first
instrument that binds the canal
Enlarge the canal until it is clean. It is indicated by white
dentinal shavings on the instrument flutes
The main aim should be to remove the canal irregularities of
dentin to make the canal walls smooth
12. Factors affecting size of working width
Whether root canal is vital/non-vital
Presence of periapical pathology
Presence or absence of root resorption
Canal configurations like C-shaped canal, bayonet canals,
etc
Presence or absence of isthmus
13. Advantages of narrow apex:
Decrease risk of canal transportation
Avoids extrusion of debris and obturating material
Disadvantages of narrow apex
Incomplete removal of infected dentin
Not ideal for lateral compaction
Irrigants may not reach the apical-third of canal
Advantages of wide apex
Complete removal of infected dentin
Better disinfection of canal at apical third
Disadvantages of wide apex
Increased chances of extrusion of irrigants and oobturating
material
Not recommended for thermoplastic obturation
More chances of preparation errors
14. Average root length from anatomic studies
Radiographs
Matematical method
Tactile sensation
Bleeding on paper point
Apical periodontal sensitivity
Electronic apex locator
15. RADIOGRAPHIC METHODS
•GROSSMAN FORMULA
•INGLE’S METHOD
•WEIN’S METHOD
•KUTTLER’S METHOD
OTHER METHODS
•BEST’S METHOD
•BREGMAN’S METHOD
•BRAMANTE’S METHOD
•RADIOGRAPHIC GRID
•ENDOMETRIC PROBE
•DIRECT DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY
•XERORADIOGRAPHY
•SUBTRACTION RADIOGRAPHY
16. Two schools of thought are there:
Cementodentinal junction is impossible to locate clinically
and the radiographic apex is the only reproducible site
available for length determination.
Those who don’t follow this concept say that radiogrpahic
apex is not reproducible. Its position depends on number
of factors like angulation of tooth, position of ilmm, film
holder etc.
Two techniques used: Paralelling technique (superior) and
bisecting angle technique
17. Before access opening, fractured cusps, weakened cusps are
reduced to avoid fracture of weakened enamel during the
treatment.This will avoid the loss of initial reference pont
and thus the working length.
18. Pre-op radiograph is used to calculate the working length.
Measure estimated working length from preoperative
periapical radiograph
It can be confirmed by placing an endodontic instrument
(with stopper adjusted) into the canal and taking a second
radiograph.
Instrument inserted should be large enough not to be loose
in the canal because it can move while taking radiograph and
this may result in errors in determining its working length.
19. The new working length is
calculated by adding or
subtracting the distance
between the instrument
tip and desired apical
termination of the root.
Correct working length is
finally calculated by
subtracting 1mm from this
new length.
20. Can see the anatomy of the tooth
Can find out curvature of the root canal.
Can see the realationship between the adjacent teeth and
anatomic structures.
21. Varies with different observers.
Superimposition of anatomical structures.
Two- dimensional view of three-dimensional object.
Cannot interpret if apical foramen has buccal or lingual exit.
Risk of radiation exposure.
Time consuming
Limited accuracy
22. Weine’s recommendations for determining the working length
based on radiographic evidence of root or bone resorption
If no root or bone resorption: preparation should terminate 1.0
mm short of the apical foramen (shorten the length by 1 mm)
Bone resorption is present but no root resorption: shorten the
working length by 1.5 mm
Both root & bone resorption is present: shorten the length by
2.0mm
23. Canal preparation should terminate at apical constriction
(MINOR DIAMETER)
Locate major & minor diameter on preoperative radiograph.
Estimate length of roots
Estimate canal width
Select the appropriate file and insert into the canal and take
a radiograph.
If file reaches major diameter, subtract 0.5 mm from it for
younger patients and 0.67 for older patients.
24. Advantages:
Minimal errors
Has shown many successful cases
Disadvantages:
Time consuming and complicated
Requires excellent quality radiographs
25. An instrument is inserted into the canal, stopper is fixed to
the reference point and radiograph is taken
Actual length of the tooth = ( apparent length of
tooth in radiograph/apparent length of instrument in
radiograph) × actual length of the instrument.
Disadvantages: wrong readings due to-
Variations in angles of radiograph
Curved roots
S-shaped, double curvature roots.
26. By Everett & Fixott in 1963
A millimeter grid is superimposed on the radiograph.
Advantages:
Overcomes the need for calculation
Disadvantages:
Not good method if radiograph is bent during exposure.
27. Uses the graduations on diagnostic file which are visible on
radiograph.
Disadvantage: smallest file size to be used is number 25.
28. Digital image is formed
2 types:
Radiovisiography
Phosphor imaging system
29. New method
Without film, image is recorded on an aluminium plate
coated with selenium particles.
Advantages:
Offers edge enhancement and good detail.
The ability to have both positive and negative prints
together .
Improves visualization of files and canals.
It is two times more sensitive than conventional D-speed
films
More sensitive
30. Disadvantages
Since saliva may act as a medium for flow of current, the
electric charge over the film may cause discomfort to the
patient.
Exposure time varies according to thickness of the plate.
Process of development cannot be delayed beyond 15
min.
31. Clinician may see an increase in resistance as file reaches the
apical 2 to 3mm.
Advantages:
Time saving
No radiation exposure
Disadvantages:
Inaccurate readings
Narrow canals, one may feel increased resistance as file
reaches apical 2 to 3mm.
Teeth with immature apex, instrument can go periapically.
32. Based on patient’s response to pain.
Don’t always provide accurate readings
In case of narrow canals , instruments may feel increased
resistance as file approaches apical 2-3mm
In case of teeth with immature apex, instrument can go
beyond the apex
In apical periodontal sensitivity test,
In case of necrotic pulp: instrument can pass beyond apical
constriction
In case of vital or inflamed pulp: pain may occur several mm
before periapex is crossed by the instrument
33. Paperpoint is gently passed in the root canal to estimate the
working length.
Most reliable: open apex cases
Moisture of blood present on apical part of paper point
indicates that paper point working has passed beyond
estimated working length.
Used as supplementary method.
34. Used as an adjunct to radiography
Used to locate the apical constriction or cementodentinal
junction or apical foramenand not the radiographic apex.
35. APICAL CONTROL ZONE: is the mechanical alteration of the
apical terminus of the root canal space which provides resistance
and retention form to the obturating material against the
condensation pressure of obturation.
The ability to distinguish between minor and major diameter is
most important for the creation of apical control zone
36. Apex locators function by using human body to compete an
electrical circuit.
One side of apex locator circuit is connected to endontic instrument
and other side is connected to patient’s body.
Circuit is completed when endodontic instrument is advanced into
root canal until it touches the periodontal tissues
37. Lip clip
File clip
Electronic device
Cord which connects above three parts
38. Provide objective information with high degree of accuracy
Easy and fast
Redction of exposure to radiation
Perforation can be detected
Can measure pulp space exactly to the constriction
Can detect resorption and root fracture
39. Can provide inaccurate readings in following cases.
Presence of pulp tissue in canal
Too wet or too dry canal
Use of narrow file
Blockage of canal
Incomplete circuit & low battery
Chances of over estimation
Immature apex
Incorrect readings in teeth with periapical radiolucenies, and
necrotic pulp associated with root resorption, etc.
40. Provide objective information with high
degree of accuracy
When apical portion of canal system is
obstructed.
In patients who cannot tolerate X-ray
film placement because of gag reflex
Pregnant patients
Detecting site of root perforations
Children, disabled patients, patients
who are heavily sedated.
RCT of teeth with incomplete root
formation.
42. Based on type of current flow and opposition to current flow
and number of frequencies involved
First generation apex locator( resistance apex locator)
Second generation apex locators (impedence apex locators)
Third genertion apex locators
Fourth generation apex locators
Combination apex locators and endodontic handpiece
43.
44. Measures opposition to flow of direct current. i.e. resistance
Principle: resistance offered by periodontal ligament and
oral mucous membrane is the same. i.e. 6.5K ohms.
Not used nowadays: blood, pus, chelating agents etc used
within the canals can give false readings
Technique
1. Turn on the device and attach the lip clip near the arch
being treated.
2. Hold a 15 number file and insert it approx 0.5mm into sulcus
of tooth. Adjust the control knob until the reference needle
is centred on the metre scale and produces audible beeps.
Note this reading
45. 4. Prepare the access cavity and apply rubber dam and remove
pulp, debris etc.
5. Using preoperative radiograph estimate the working canal
width.
6. Insert the file into canal unless the reference needle moves
from extreme left to centre of scale and alarm beeps sound.
Reset the stop at reference point and record the lengths.
7. Take the radiographs with file in place at the length indicated
by apex locator. If length is longer or shorter, it is possible that
preoperative film can be elongated or apex locator is
inaccurate
46.
47. Easily operated
Possible to get objective information with high degree of
accuracy
Used when radiographs cannot be used accurately like
Maxillary molars due to zygomatic process)
Mandibular molars (obstruction due to mandibular tori)
Patient with gag reflex
Digital read out
Audible indication
Detect perforation
48. Requires a dry field
Many factors can lead to wrong reading like low battery,
tissue present in canal, wet canal, too narrow canal or canal
with blockage and problems of lip clip
Patient sensitivity
Requires calibration
Cannot estimate beyond 2mm
File should not contact metal restorations
49. Low frequency
Introduced by Inoue
Measures opposition to flow of alternating current or
impedance.
Indicates the apex when two impedance values approach
each other.
50. Does not require lip clip.
No patient sensitivity.
Analog meter
Detects perforations
51. No digital read out.
Difficult to operate
Canal should be free of electroconductive materials to obtain
accurate readings.
Requires coated probes
Cannot use files
52. High frequency
Based on the fact that different sites in canal give difference
in impedance between high (8KHz) and low (400Hz)
frequencies
Is least in coronal part of canal
As the probe goes deeper into canal, difference increases
Greatest at cementodentinal junction
These should be termed as ‘comparative impedence”
because they measure relative magnitudes of impedence
which are converted into length information.
53. There can be different combination of values of capacitance
and resistance that provides the same impedence.
But te fourth generation apex locators measures resistance
and capacitance separately rather than the resultant
impedance value
They are:
AFA apex finder
Elements diagnostic unit
54. Tri Auto ZX is cordless electric endodontic handpiece with
builtin root ZX apex locator
It has three safety mechanisms:
Autostart stop mechanism: handpiece starts rotation
when instrument enters the canal and stops when it is
removed.
Autotorque reverse mechanism: handpiece automatically
stops and reverses rotation when torque threshold
(30gm/cm) is exceed. Prevents instrument breakage.
55. Autoapical –reverse mechanism
It stops and reverses rotation when instrument tip reaches
a distance from apical constriction taken for working
length
Prevents apical perforation
56. Canal should be free from most of the
tissue and debris
Canal should be relatively dry
No cervical leakage
If residual fluid is present, it should be of
low conductivity (5.25%NaOCl >
17%EDTA > saline)
Proper adaptation of file to canal walls
and periapex
No blockages or calcifications in canals
Battery of apex locator and other
connections should be proper