Accuracy of working length determination using cone beam computed tomography, periapical radiography, and apex locator: In vivo study

Cone-beam computed Tomography has emerged as a promising tool for achieving a more precise determination of working length in endodontic treatment. The study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of determining working length using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography, periapical radiography, and an apex finder in endodontic treatment. This study was conducted as a Descriptive analytical study at the Shorsh Teaching Dental Center in Sulaimani City, Iraq, between 2022-2023. A random selection method was employed to pick a total of 50 patients. First, it was taken using a parallel periapical X-ray, then the length was measured on that X-ray, and finally, the length was measured with an apex finder (cox C_ROOT I). The three metrics were gathered, and compared, and the outcomes were subsequently scrutinized through Pearson tests and a two-way analysis of variance. A significance threshold of 0.05 was established. The results showed significant differences among the methods, with high correlations between Cone-Beam Computed Tomography and Standard reading (R2=0.996, p-value < 0.0001), Periapical X-ray and Standard reading (R2=0.969, p-value < 0.0001), and Apex locator and Standard reading (R2=0.989, p-value < 0.0001). Cone-Beam Computed Tomography also demonstrated a strong correlation with Periapical X-ray (R2=0.971, p-value < 0.0001) and Apex locator (R2=0.995, p-value < 0.0001). Cone-beam computed Tomography is a more accurate method for determining the working length than periapical radiography and apex finder.