Effect of electromagnetic radiation from cell phone on working length determination by electronic apex locator: An in vivo study

Abstract

Introduction: Technical support manuals of certain electronic apex locators (EALs) have stated that electromagnetic radiation could lead to abnormal functioning of the EALs. Even so, in a dental clinic, patients often keep their cell phones on and nearby while undergoing root canal treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of electromagnetic radiation from cell phone on working length determination by latest generation EAL. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients in need of root canal therapy for incisors, canines or premolars with one canal, and completely formed apices were selected. Determination of working length was carried out using a K-file with 5th generation apex locator (AirPex, Eighteeth). A standard cell phone device (Samsung M51) was used to evaluate the effect of electromagnetic radiation on the determination of working length. Working length was measured under the following clinical settings: no cell phone within the working area; cell phone within two feet from the EAL in standby mode and cell phone within two feet from the EAL in the active mode (Activated Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Ringing Mode). Statistical Analysis: One-way analysis of variance test was used to compare three clinical settings. P value was set at 0.05. Results: The findings revealed no significant difference between the working length determinations among the three clinical settings of the study (P > 0.05). Conclusion: According to this study, using cell phones (in standby or active mode) in the vicinity of EAL does not have a significant effect on working length determination.

Keywords

• apex locator
• cell phone
• electromagnetic radiation
• root canal therapy
• working length determination