Working length determination in primary teeth pulpectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Aust Endod J. 2023 Aug;49(2):444-454. doi: 10.1111/aej.12652. Epub 2022 Jun 30.

Abstract

The present meta-analysis aimed to describe the methods to determine the working length in primary teeth pulpectomy, also evaluating and comparing their reliability. A systematic review was performed following the PRISMA Statement. The electronic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. After the screening protocol, a number of 14 studies were included in the qualitative analysis, while seven were included in the quantitative one. The mean working length determined by the electronic apex locator was 11.8 mm (9.0-15.55), while 12.42 mm (11.0-13.52) and 12.3 mm (9.73-15.93) were the mean working length observed with the conventional radiography and the digital radiography, respectively. No statistically significant difference was detected in quantitative analysis between the investigated methods. The present meta-analysis showed that electronic apex locator, conventional radiography and digital radiography are similar in determining working length in primary teeth.

Keywords: meta-analysis; primary teeth; pulpectomy; working length.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dental Pulp Cavity
  • Odontometry / methods
  • Pulpectomy*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Tooth Apex*
  • Tooth, Deciduous