Clinical evaluation of the measuring accuracy of ROOT ZX in primary teeth.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of an electronic device (Root ZX; Morita, Tokyo, Japan) for measuring the root canal length in primary teeth.

STUDY

DESIGN

The pulp tissue was removed from 71 nonrestorable teeth scheduled to be extracted under general anesthesia, and the root canals (n = 105) were irrigated (H(2)O(2), 3%; NaOCl, 1%). Subsequently, the length was determined clinically with the electronic device prior to extraction. Treatments were performed by 2 dentists (42 and 63 root canals). After extraction, the real length was recorded and the 2 measurements were compared.

RESULTS

Measurements were affected significantly by the dentists (P < .01; chi(2)). However, regression analysis revealed sufficient accuracy of the device, with a tendency to estimate the root canal length just short (x = -0.98 +/- 1.75 mm) of the apex. These results were not influenced by tooth type, root canal type, status of the periapex, or clinical condition (P > .05; chi(2)).

CONCLUSION

Root ZX can be strongly recommended for clinical implementation of endodontics in primary teeth, particularly when treating fidgety children.