The Comparison of Dentin Capacitance in Young and Old Permanent Teeth

Determining working length is regarded as an important step in root canal treatment, for which electronic apex locator can be applied. New apex locators are preferred, since they work via applying alternating current. Furthermore, the two factors of dentin specific resistance and capacitance seem to be effective principles in their operating. Therefore, this study aimed to determine and compare the dentin capacitance in young and old teeth.

In order to glean the study data, 60 human permanent teeth were collected consisting of 30 permanent teeth under twenty-five years and 30 permanent teeth over sixty year. The sixty samples of same dimensions were prepared from mid levels of the teeth roots. The capacitance circuit rates created in three frequencies of 100 HZ, 1KHZ and 10KHZ were measured. Moreover, in order to analyze the study data, ANOVA and Mann-Whitney tests were utilized.

The mean value of capacitance circuit teeth under twenty five years and over sixty years respectively involved 60 and 137 in 100HZ, 2/5 and 9/5 in 1KHZ and 0/05 and 0/3 in 10KHZ, which this difference was proved to be statistically significant (P Value =0/000)

The study findings revealed a different capacitance between young and old teeth. Regarding the influence of this factor in the operating principle of apex locators, calibrate the device may be necessitated while applying it in young and old teeth.