Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39775157›Full record

SynthesisEvidence-based dentistry2025

Conventional methods and electronic apical locator in determining working length in different primary teeth: systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical studies.

Priscila Seixas Mourão, Izabella Barbosa Fernandes, Luana Viviam Moreira, Gabrielly Fernandes Machado, Saulo Gabriel Moreira Falci, Glaciele Maria de Souza, Maria Letícia Ramos-Jorge

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Evidence-based dentistry, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Tooth image segmentation and root canal measurement based on deep learning.Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Priscila Seixas MourãoDepartment of Dentistry, Faculty of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Vales do Jequitinhonha and Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.
Izabella Barbosa FernandesDepartment of Oral Health for Children and Adolescents, Faculty of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Luana Viviam MoreiraDepartment of Dentistry, Faculty of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Vales do Jequitinhonha and Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil. luanamoreiradtna@gmail.com.
Gabrielly Fernandes MachadoDepartment of Dentistry, Faculty of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Vales do Jequitinhonha and Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.
Saulo Gabriel Moreira FalciDepartment of Dentistry, Faculty of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Vales do Jequitinhonha and Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.
Glaciele Maria de SouzaDepartment of Dentistry, Faculty of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Vales do Jequitinhonha and Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.
Maria Letícia Ramos-JorgeDepartment of Dentistry, Faculty of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Vales do Jequitinhonha and Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimThe aim of the current systematic review was to investigate differences in the measurement of working length in primary teeth between electronic apex locators (EAL) and radiographic methods (conventional radiography [CR] and digital radiography [DR]).

methodsA systematic search was conducted in six electronic databases (Medline via PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Virtual Health Library, Scopus and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews). Gray literature and reference lists of included studies were also examined. The guiding question of the study was formulated using the PECO strategy (Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome): P: primary teeth submitted to pulpectomy; E: measurement of working length using the radiographic methods; C: measurement of working length using electronic apex locator; O: difference in working length. The methodological quality (QUADAS-2) and certainty of the evidence (GRADE) were assessed. Meta-analyses were performed, e foram considerados os tipos de radiografia, grupo de dentes, geração de localizadores apicais. I² statistics were calculated.

resultsTwenty-five studies were included in the review. Of these, eighteen studies were eligible for meta-analysis. Most studies demonstrated fair methodological quality. The working length measured using CR was, on average, 0.52 mm greater when compared to EAL (95% CI: 0.15-0.89, I

conclusionsThe findings of the present review demonstrate a difference in the measurement of working length using CR in comparison with EAL. No difference was found between the EAL and DR methods. The certainty of the evidence was considered low for all outcomes.

Indexed as

Dental Pulp CavityOdontometryTooth ApexTooth, DeciduousHumansRadiography, Dental, Digital

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.