International Journal of Modern and Alternative Medicine Research
ISSN: 2053-1834
Vol. 1(1), pp. 1-4, April 2013
doi.org/10.33500/ijmamr.2013.01.001



Quality of working length radiographs taken and used by dental students during endodontic treatment

Jayasinghe R. D.1*, Weerakoon B. S.1, Perera R.1, Ediri Arachchi W. M.2, Fonseka M. C. N.3 and Wettasinghe K. A.3

1Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
 2Department of Radiography and Radiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
 3Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

*To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: ruwanduminda@yahoo.com. Tel: (94) 0777 373689

Received 11 February, 2013; Received in revised form 14 March, 2013; Accepted 26 March, 2013.

Abstract


Key words:
Working length, Radiograph, Endodontics, Dental students.


The quality of the root canal treatment depends on the correct determination of the working length. Radiographs which are free of technical errors are essential for this purpose. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the type and frequency of radiographic errors observed in working length (WL) radiographs taken and used by dental students. All WL radiographs taken by final year dental students during 2000-2010 were analyzed. All radiographs were taken with the same kind of X-ray equipment and film; and were processed with the same automatic processor. All radiographs were analyzed. Side, jaw and tooth were recorded together with technical errors (if any). These were assessed under standard viewing conditions and magnification. A total of 1523 WL radiographs were analyzed. There were 1474 errors and overlapping was the commonest error (16.9%) followed by crown cutting (13.4%) and incorrect film orientation (11.7%). Significantly higher number of errors was observed in maxillary teeth. A statistically significant difference (P>0.05) was observed for the technical errors according to the anatomical area. Apex of tooth was not visible in 39 intra-oral periapical (IOPA) radiographs (2.6%). In conclusion, high number of errors was observed in WL radiographs but only few errors affected the outcome.

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