A new article by our ZERODONTO group expert Dr. Vincenzo Vitale
How many times did you work endodontically on a tooth with a crown?
If you have experienced this situation, it can be frustrating to see the apex locator go haywire during the measurement of working length. However, there are solutions to improve this situation.
The main problem occurs when the apex locator comes into contact with a metal crown, as the crown interferes with the electrical currents emitted by the device, altering the measured resistance. To avoid this issue, you can be careful during the measurement, trying to avoid accidental contact between the instrument and the metal. Alternatively, you can use an insulating material to protect the apex locator from direct contact with the metal.
A common option is to use Teflon to isolate the K-file and the crown. By applying Teflon, you create a barrier that prevents the locator from detecting false signals caused by metal interference. This way, the measurement of the working length will be more accurate, and there will be no issues related to metal.
It is important to note that these interferences can also occur in the presence of amalgam near the pulp chamber or even inside it!
If you are interested in exploring further uses of Teflon, such as in restorative dentistry or prosthodontics, I recommend checking out “6 Tips and Tricks for Rubber Dam Isolation” by clicking here .
I hope these suggestions can help you solve the problem of metal interference with the apex locator and improve the accuracy of your measurements!
Share on:
