Evaluation of Methods for Determining Working Length in Root Canal Treatment for Primary Molars: An In-Vivo Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of tactile sensation, digital periapical radiography, and two varieties of electronic apex locators (EALs) as methods of determining working length in root canal treatment for primary molars. MATERIAL and METHODS In this study, 30 infected mandibular primary second molar teeth in 12 children aged 5-8 years were analyzed. The working length was determined for each tooth using the tactile sensation, digital radiography, the ProPex Pixi (R), and Ipex (R) apex locators separately. RESULTS The mean root canal measurements taken using tactile sensation, Ipex, radiography, and Propex Pixi were 11.02 +/- 2.05 mm, 9.47 +/- 1.71 mm, 9.73 +/- 1.57 mm, and 8.85 +/- 1.58 mm, respectively. The radiographic method yielded results that were similar to those derived with the apex locators but differed from the measurements obtained via tactile sensation. CONCLUSION EALs can be used to safely determine the working length in root canal treatment for primary molars.