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APEX LOCATOR
Instrument used in endodontics to determine the
working length in root canal treatment as an
adjunct to radiography
Used to locate the apical foramen by determining
the apical constriction
ADVANTAGES
Easy and fast
Reduction of exposure to radiation
Perforations can be detected
Can measure pulp space exactly to the
constriction
Can detect resorption and root fracture
USES/INDICATIONS
Modern apex locators are able to detect root
perforations to clinically acceptable limits and are
equally able to distinguish both large and small
perforations.
Any fractures, cracks and internal or external
resorption will be recognized
For patients who cannot tolerate radiographic film
placement because of gag reflex
Can be a valuable tool to reduce radiation exposure
in pregnant patients
Can also be used in case of children who may not
tolerate taking radiographs, disabled patients, and
patients who are heavily sedated
CONTRAINDICATION
1st Generation
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
Resistance
Generation
Generation
Generation
Generation
Generation
Adaptive
Apex
Locator
Impedance Frequency
Dependent
Principle
Works on the
Works on the
Works on the
Measure the
Can measure
combines the
principle of
principles of
principle of
resistance and
pulp space
advantages of
frequency of
capacitance
lengths
by periodontal
Comparitive
separately
impedence
measuring
flow of
resultant
presence of
membrane is the
alternating
impedance
conductive
same
current or
value
fluids.
impedance
Advantages - Digital read out - Does not
- Detects
perforation
- No patient
sensitivity
- Analog
method
- Audible
- measures
- digital read
out
indication
separately for
- Can operate in better accuracy -Can be used
whether pulp
presence of
and thus less
space is wet,
fluids
chances of
dry or filled
- Analog read
occurance of
with any
out
errors
conductive
fluids
Disadvanta
- Requires a dry
- No digital
- Chances of
-need to
experience
ges
field
read out
short circuit
perform in
considerable
- Requires
- Difficult to
relatively dry
difficulties
-can be used
whether
there is
moisture, nonextirped pulp,
exudates,
irrigants, dry or
dried canal
SECOND GENERATION
FORMATRON IV
HOW IT WORKS
CASE PRESENTATION
A 75-year-old patient required endodontic
treatment on an upper bicuspid that had been
recently crowned. The radiograph revealed that
the canals appeared to be calcified.
Endodontic therapy was started using the
surgical microscope. The access opening was
made through the crown and the tooth was
transilluminated in order to find the orifices into
the canals. A white dot was seen at high
magnification. A #8 file was introduced into what
appeared to be a canal and it was connected to
one of the electrodes of an apex locator.
CASE PRESENTATION