• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.676-681
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to explain theoretically the mechanism of the frequency-dependent apex locator which can detect the apex of the root in moist canals with blood or other conductible canal irrigants. The frequency-dependent apex locator is based on measuring the ratio of the two impedances of the two alternating currents with different frequencies. We analyzed the changes of the ratio between the two impedances by using differential calculus. Our analysis shows that : 1. When the file is in the moist canal, the ratio between the two impedances is almost constant. 2. As the file approaches the apex of the root, the ratio decreases sharply. By this mechanism, the frequency-dependent apex locator can detect the apex of the-root quite accurately in moist canals.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.809-819
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to develop an accurate frequency-dependent type apex locator. To compensate the impedence differences of different canal contents, voltage differences were pre-measured and stored for saline, HOsb1/$2O_2$ and NaOCl. The circuit was adjusted to recognize the different voltages of each solution, thereby the machine could automatically compensate the voltage differences. In the process of this study, the following informations were observed. 1. Most stable apical reading was obtained at 500Hz and 10kHz. 2. There were no differences in accuracy among three different frequency types, sign wave, triangular wave and rectangular wave(p>0.05). 3. Before the compensation of voltage differences, saline, H2O2 and NaOCl showed different readings at the apex even with the frequency-type (p<0.05). 4. After compensating the voltage difference, the accuracy was enhanced from + 0.42 to +0.32 in H2O2(p<0.05), from -0.34 to -0.12 in NaOCl(p<0.05).

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.11
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• pp.399-402
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• 1997

It is important to find a accurate root canal length or successful endodontic therapy. By X-ray method takes a long time and difficult in a curved canal. After developed electronic apex locator has allowed to measure the root canal length with easy, in a short time also in a curved canal. But most electronic apex locators have the disadvantage which is too short reading or sometimes the measurement itself becomes impossible if there are electrolytes in the canal. To overcome this drawback, impedance ratio method has been developed. In this study, we have developed frequency dependent electronic apex locator to minimize the interference of electrolytes. And based on that also some error in clinic use, we added the other method. Difference of two signals which are used in calculation of impedance ratio was can be represent the status of root canal fluid. As a result, using impedance ratio method and auto-calibration by voltage difference method can reduce the measurement error.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.595-602
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• 1998

Among the apex locators, the frequency dependent type is more accurate and convenient to use than others, But the accuracy of the apex locator is still influenced by the presence of various electrolytes used in root canal treatments. In this study, we have developed a frequency dependent electronic apex locator minimizing the influence of the electrolytes on the measurement of root canal lengths. It was also confirmed that two frequencies of 500Hz and 100kHz are optimal for the measuring impedance compare with commercial product used(400Hz and 8kHz)a and there were no differences in accuracy among the three different types of the waveforms; sinusoidal, triangular, and rectangular waves(p>0.05). Impedance ratio of the two different frequencies represents the position of the file in root canal, and the voltage difference of two signals represents the status of the fluid in the root canal. As a result of compensation using the voltage differences, the errors were decreased on the average from +0.54mm to +0.18mm in $H_2O_2$ solution (p<0.01), and from -0.33mm to -0.01mm in NaOCl solution(p<0.01). The accuracies based on ${\pm}$0.5mm, in $H_2O_2$ and NaOCl solutions were improved with the automatic compensation from 71.1% and 91.1% to 82.2% and 100% respectively.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.150-160
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• 1996

The present study was to evaluate the accuracy of the frequency dependent type apex locator, Root-ZX. The subjects included 505 root canals of 238 teeth treated by the Department of Conservative Dentistry, and 22 human premolars which were schduled to be extracted for the orthodontic reasons. The results were as follows ; 1. The working lengths determined by Root-ZX were compared with radiographic readings. Of the total 505 root canals, 66 % showed coincidence within ${\pm}0.5mm$ and the average readings of Root-ZX were $0.13mm{\pm}1.05$ longer than those of radiographic readings. 2. The length difference between the file tip determined by Root-ZX and the apical constriction in extracted teeth were measured. Of the total 24 root canals, 70.8 % showed coincidence within ${\pm}0.5mm$ and the average readings of Root-ZX were $0.12mm{\pm}0.50$beyond the apical constriction. 3. The vitality of the teeth did not show any statistical difference(p>0.05) in the accuracy of the Root-ZX readings. The presence of the periapical lesions, however, significantly lowered the percentage of ${\pm}0.5mm$ accuracy in Root-ZX measurements.(p<0.05). In the presence of periapical lesions, the percentage within ${\pm}0.5mm$ was significantly lower.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.05
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• pp.316-317
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• 1997

For successful endodontic therapy, complete and accurate biochemical and chemical preparations will allow accurate root canal. Hence the accurate determination of root length is very important for the highest rates of success in endodontic therapy. Among the apex locators, frequency dependent type has higher accuracy and more advantages than others. In this paper, we proposed better frequencies for the method of measuring root canal length by the ratio of two different impedances. It was found that 500Hz and 10kHz is better selection than other frequencies used in the commercial products.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.435-459
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• 1998

In order to achieve a successful endodontic treatment, root canals must be obturated three-dimensionally without causing any damage to apical tissues. Accurate length determination of the root canal is critical in this case. For this reason, I've used the conventional periapical radiography, Digora/sup (R)/(digital imaging system) and Root ZX/sup (R)/(the frequency dependent type apex locator) to measure the length of the canal and compare it with the true length obtained by cutting the tooth in half and measuring the length between the occlusal surface and the apical foramen. From the information obtained by these measurements, I was able to evaluate the accuracy and clinical usefulness of each systems. whether the thickness of files used in endodontic therapy has any effect on the measuring systems was also evaluated in an effort to simplify the treatment planning phase of endodontic treatment. 29 canals of 29 sound premolars were measured with #15, #20, #25 files by 3 different dentists each using the periapical radiography. Digora/sup (R)/ and Root ZX/sup (R)/. The measurements were then compared with the true length. The results were as follows: 1. In comparing mean discrepancies between measurements obtained by using periapical radiography(mean error: -0.449±0.444 mm), Digora/sup (R)/(mean error: -0.417±0.415 mm) and Root ZX/sup (R)/(mean error: 0.123±0.458 mm) with true length. periapical radiography and Digora/sup (R)/ system had statistically significant differences(p<0.05) in most cases while Root ZX/sup (R)/ showed none(p>0.05). 2. By subtracting values obtained by using periapical radiography, Digora/sup (R)/ and Root ZX/sup (R)/ from the true length and making a distribution table of their absolute values. the following analysis was possible. In the case of periapical film. 140 out of 261<53.6％) were clinically acceptable satisfying the margin of error of less than 0.5 mm. 151 out of 261 (53,6％) were acceptable in the Digora/sup (R)/ system while Root ZX/sup (R)/ had 197 out of 261(75.5％) within the limits of 0.5mm margin of error. 3. In determining whether the thickness of files has any effect on measuring methoths, no statistically significant differences were found(p>0.05). 4. In comparing data obtained from these methods in order to evaluate the difference among measuring methods, there was no statistically significant difference between periapical radiography and Digora/sup (R)/ system(p>0.05), but there was statistically significant difference between Root ZX/sup (R)/ and periapical radiography(p<0.05). Also there was statistically significant difference between Root ZX/sup (R)/ and Digora/sup (R)/ system(p<0.05). In conclusion, Root ZX/sup (R)/ was more accurate when compared with the Digora/sup (R)/ system and periapical radiography and seems to be more effective clinically in determining root canal length. But Root ZX/sup (R)/ has its limits in determining root morphology and number of roots and its accuracy becomes questionable when apical foramen is open due to unknown reasons. Therefore the combined use of Root ZX/sup (R)/ and the periapical radiography are mandatory. Digora/sup (R)/ system seems to be more effective when periapical radiographs are needed in a short period of time because of its short processing time and less exposure.