Accuracy of different generations of apex locators in determining working length; a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background and objective: The accurate determination of working length has a major influence on the prognosis of root canal treatment. Electronic Apex Locators (EALs) appear to be excellent tools for the determination of working length (WL). This study aimed to assess the accuracy of four generation...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Saudi Dental Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S101390522100119X |
| _version_ | 1828138016710852608 |
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| author | Kaveh Nasiri Karl-Thomas Wrbas |
| author_facet | Kaveh Nasiri Karl-Thomas Wrbas |
| author_sort | Kaveh Nasiri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background and objective: The accurate determination of working length has a major influence on the prognosis of root canal treatment. Electronic Apex Locators (EALs) appear to be excellent tools for the determination of working length (WL). This study aimed to assess the accuracy of four generations of EALs. Materials and methods: For the purpose of the present review study, articles on different generations of EALs were selected from the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases using the search term apex locators. In addition, eligibility criteria were set and used for the inclusion of articles. Results: Fifteen studies satisfied the eligibility criteria and were included in this study. According to the results of four meta-analyses, the Cochran's Q-values were 3.042, 4.569, 0.636, and 0.443. The I2 value of four heterogeneity tests was zero (I2 = 0). In addition, the effect sizes (risk ratios) of the four meta-analyses were 1.040, 0.997, 0.935, and 0.959. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, all four generations of apex locators under review were found to be accurate in measuring working length. Hence, the generation of an apex locator does not play a significant role in how accurately electronic devices determine working length. In addition, the results suggest that more clinical and laboratory trials are required in order to evaluate the accuracy of different generations of EALs in measuring working length. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T18:29:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dc740112d4c44824a29456524e033572 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1013-9052 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T18:29:12Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Saudi Dental Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-dc740112d4c44824a29456524e0335722022-12-22T04:09:31ZengElsevierSaudi Dental Journal1013-90522022-01-013411120Accuracy of different generations of apex locators in determining working length; a systematic review and meta-analysisKaveh Nasiri0Karl-Thomas Wrbas1Independent Researcher, Essen, Germany; Corresponding author.Department of Endodontics, Center for Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, University of Dental Medicine and Oral Health, Danube Private University (DPU), Krems, Austria; Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Center for Dental Medicine, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg i.Br., GermanyBackground and objective: The accurate determination of working length has a major influence on the prognosis of root canal treatment. Electronic Apex Locators (EALs) appear to be excellent tools for the determination of working length (WL). This study aimed to assess the accuracy of four generations of EALs. Materials and methods: For the purpose of the present review study, articles on different generations of EALs were selected from the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases using the search term apex locators. In addition, eligibility criteria were set and used for the inclusion of articles. Results: Fifteen studies satisfied the eligibility criteria and were included in this study. According to the results of four meta-analyses, the Cochran's Q-values were 3.042, 4.569, 0.636, and 0.443. The I2 value of four heterogeneity tests was zero (I2 = 0). In addition, the effect sizes (risk ratios) of the four meta-analyses were 1.040, 0.997, 0.935, and 0.959. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, all four generations of apex locators under review were found to be accurate in measuring working length. Hence, the generation of an apex locator does not play a significant role in how accurately electronic devices determine working length. In addition, the results suggest that more clinical and laboratory trials are required in order to evaluate the accuracy of different generations of EALs in measuring working length.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S101390522100119XElectronic working lengthGeneration apex locatorsMeta-analysis |
| spellingShingle | Kaveh Nasiri Karl-Thomas Wrbas Accuracy of different generations of apex locators in determining working length; a systematic review and meta-analysis Saudi Dental Journal Electronic working length Generation apex locators Meta-analysis |
| title | Accuracy of different generations of apex locators in determining working length; a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Accuracy of different generations of apex locators in determining working length; a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Accuracy of different generations of apex locators in determining working length; a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Accuracy of different generations of apex locators in determining working length; a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Accuracy of different generations of apex locators in determining working length; a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | accuracy of different generations of apex locators in determining working length a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | Electronic working length Generation apex locators Meta-analysis |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S101390522100119X |
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