Evaluation of Different Methods for Obtaining Odontometry: Radiography, Digital Radiography and Electronic Apex Locator

Endodontic treatment, popularly known as root canal treatment, is a procedure that aims to eliminate infections inside the tooth and save teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted. Endodontics treats the internal part of the tooth, which includes the pulp. As it is an interdependent treatment, all its stages are interconnected and are essential for proper filling. Odontometry is a very important phase of endodontic therapy responsible for determining the length of the tooth. Many methods have been used in an attempt to clinically determine, with maximum precision, the length of the root canals. Several studies have already studied the different methods for obtaining odontometry, however, there is a lack of studies simultaneously comparing the three methods of determining odontometry (conventional, digital and electronic). Therefore, this study aimed to compare the accuracy of three methods: conventional radiography with the Spectro 70 KVp and 8 mA X-ray device (Dabi Atlante, Brazil) and E-Speed ​​film (Kodak) at an exposure time of 0.2 seconds, digital radiography with CDR – computerized dental radiography (Schick Technologies Inc., NY, USA) and electronic odontometry with the Bingo 1020 apex locator (Forum). The results were analyzed by the chi-square test with Yates correction and a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The method that obtained the best index was the electronic one, followed by the conventional and digital ones, presenting respectively the concordances of 55%, IC95% (31.5 - 76.9), 40%, IC95% (19.1 - 63.9) and 25%, IC95% (8.7 - 49.1) in comparison with the control group, with a statistically significant difference at the 5% level. The variations existing in the methods used indicate that the electronic apex locator was the one that presented the best concordance, being the most reliable, in relation to the control group. Funding Agency: CNPq