The working length

Fig. 1

In endodontics the working length is defined as "the distance from a coronal reference point to the point at which canal preparation and obturation should terminate."
The importance of the correct determination of the working length is linked to the identification and maintenance of the biological length of the root canal system.
Accurate determination of working length prevents UNDER INSTRUMENTATION that could leave tissues and debris in the apical segment, or OVER INSTRUMENTATION which could cause patient discomfort, damage periapical tissue, or potentially cause an infection or cyst development from the placement of irritating materials beyond the apex.

Fig. 2

In the anatomy of the apex region it's possible to identify the following structures:
Anatomic apex: anatomical apex of the root
Radiographic apex: anatomic apex displayed in radiography
Apical foramen: the root canal opening on the outer surface of the root

Ideally instrumentation and root filling should stop at the level of cement-dentin junction in the proximity of which there is the highest apical constriction.
In this point ends the pulp tissue and, passing from endodontium to periodontium, where the canal walls are no longer made up of dentin, but cement.

Clinically it's hard to end the preparation and obturation to the level of cement-dentine junction for two principle reasons:
- Histological: irregularities cement-dentin border, lack of vascular-nervous bundle differentiation pulp before and after its entry into the apical foramen
- Clinical: unreliability of tactile rough apical constriction sensation, unreliability of the patient's pain sensation

Different methods have been used for locating the position of canal terminus and measuring the working length of root canals.
Currently we can classify them into a MAIN METHOD (the electronic apex locator) and other ACCESSORY (radiographic methods, tactile method, periodontium sensibility and paper points.) that validate the first.

Fig. 3

The electronic apex locator is currently considered the most reliable of these methods of determining the correct WL. Its algorithmic configuration, using impedance, resistance, frequency and comparative databases to locate the CDJ. Research shows that if used properly and if the channel is patient and not blocked by dentinal debris, he does it with amazing accuracy (> 90%).
They are divided into 1-2-3-4-5-6 generation.

ADVANTAGES
- Accurate, easy and fast
- Reduction of x-ray exposure
- Used in pregnant women or in patients with gagging reflex

Fig. 4

This technique is based on finishing the preparation and root canal filling at the level of the rx end of the canal.

ADVANTAGES
- Not arbitrary determination, subjective or statistical
- Easily recognizable through intra-operative x-rays done correctly
- In 50% of cases the canal ends in the anatomical apex and therefore is recognizable rx
- The emergency of the canal is lateral than geometric apex (M / D) is still recognizable on rx

DISADVANTAGES
- If the foramen is moved V o L is unrecognizable on rx and the instrumentation at the end of the Rx canal will result in over-instrumentation
- Two-dimensional image that reduces or flattens the bucco-lingual dimension
- Administration of radiation minimal doses to avoid above all pregnant
- Difficulties in implementation in certain patients
- Overlapping roots in multi-rooted and anatomical structures

Fig. 5

This technique is based on the principle of the wettability of a paper cone brought slightly beyond the extent of WL.
In particular If a paper cone is positioned in a dehydrated canal and removed short compared to the apical foramen, it is extracted dry.
If the paper cone is introduced in a dry canal and brought over to the apical constriction of the canal will be extracted with the fluid (blood, pus, serum, mucus) on that portion of the cone which extrudes from cavosurface of the canal. To move by capillarity the wet portion will extend beyond the portion of the cone that is entered directly in contact with the fluid.

TECNIQUE
Place a paper cone in a dry canal 1/2 mm shorter than the WL determined by electronic apex locator.
If the cone is dry retracted must advance it into the canal until it reaches the fluid and take note of the cone dry portion.
Then took another cone just shorter than this length removed and observed.
The cone must not remain too long in contact with the canal walls so as to avoid the occurrence of the capillarity phenomenon.

DISADVANTAGES
- Inflamed, altered, large and bleeding apex
- Attention to the extraction of the cone before it gets too wet
- Wet apex

Fig. 6

This technique is based on the principle according to which once eliminate the medium-coronal interferences it is possible to appreciate through the use of a little K-file the apical constriction before emerging from the root.

DISADVANTAGES
- skill-operator dependent
- ineffective in immature apex roots, in canals with excessive curve or sclerotic
- not predictable and reproducible

Fig. 7

This method is based on a painful response from the patient when it reaches the WL and touched the periodontium with a k-file.

DISADVANTAGES
- Any method based on a pain response by the patient is not the ideal solution

Problems of interpretation in the presence of:
- Inflamed tissue: The hydrostatic pressure developed within the canal may cause a sudden pain from moderate to severe.
In the presence of pain the tip of the K-file can stay a few mm before the apical constriction
- Necrotic tissue: The passage of a K-file through the canal and the overcoming of the apical constriction can not evoke any painful reaction or evoke a painful response.
This is especially true in the presence of a periradicular lesion because the tissue is not richly vascularized. Vital pulp tissue can remain in the most apical portion of the main canal even in the presence of large lesions.

Fig. 8

Fig. 9

Fig. 10