Research Information System
28th congress of the Balkan Stomatological Society (BASS), Budva, Montenegro, 25 - 27 April 2024, pp.39, (Summary Text)
Objective: The present study aims to assess the impact of variations in root canal perforation (RCP) diameter and nickel-titanium instrument kinematics on the efficacy of the endomotor with an integrated apex locator (EIAL) in pinpointing RCPs.
Material-Methods: One hundred extracted, single-rooted mandibular premolars received artificial perforations at five different diameters (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 mm) standardized at 5 mm above the apex. Following creation of RCPs and subsequent group allocation based on perforation diameter, the teeth were further subdivided into kinematic subgroups (n=10). Following precise measurement of the actual lengths (ALs) to the perforation site under a dental operating microscope, electronic lengths (ELs) were obtained with an EIAL, using rotary or reciprocating kinematics throughout the root canal preparations. To quantify deviations from AL, measurements of EL were compared for each tooth, followed by statistical analysis using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t-tests (p<0.05).
Results: EL measurements were unable to detect perforations of 0.25 mm and 0.50 mm diameter. Accuracy was similar for 1.00 mm and 1.25 mm perforations (p>0.05), however, these measurements exhibited greater precision compared to the 0.75 mm group (p<0.05). Kinematics used during preparation did not affect the accuracy of EL measurements.
Conclusions: EIAL could not detect very small perforations. Kinematics used during preparation had no significant effect. Clinicians should be especially cautious when identifying very small perforations and consider using additional detection methods.