Translation: Evaluation of the accuracy of electronic apex locators in odontometry in deciduous teeth: an in vitro and crossover randomized clinical study

• Grant number: 24/07412-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Pediatric Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Natalino Lourenço Neto
• Grantee: Isabela do Carmo Custodio
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Pulpectomy is the treatment of choice in cases of pulp necrosis, irreversible pulpitis, and dental trauma. To achieve its success, one of the essential steps is odontometry, aiming to achieve instrumentation at the correct working length. Odontometry performed in Pediatric Dentistry is commonly done through conventional radiography, which has disadvantages such as ionizing radiation, image distortions, and increased clinical time, disadvantaging pediatric management. In order to overcome these disadvantages, innovation through electronic apex locators has emerged to provide a painless and radiation-free clinical step. However, studies aiming to evaluate the accuracy of these devices and whether anatomical variables of deciduous teeth affect their effectiveness are scarce. The objective of the present study will be to evaluate the accuracy of electronic apex locators through two phases: an in vitro phase that will evaluate accuracy in prototyped deciduous teeth with and without resorption and compare it with conventional radiography, and a randomized crossover clinical phase to validate the use of locators in deciduous teeth. For this purpose, in the in vitro phase, 51 upper prototyped incisors will be used and divided into 3 groups: healthy teeth without resorption, teeth with 3mm of resorption, and teeth with 6mm of resorption. For the clinical phase, 64 root canals will be employed, and all patients will receive odontometry randomly. Accuracy will be measured, and anatomical variables will be correlated with it. The obtained data will be subjected to statistical analysis, with a significance level of 5%.