Working Length Determination

Presented by:
Josef Ma. Karlos S. Bringas, D.M.D., D.D.S., M.S.
Department of Endodontics
2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Radiographic Length
The length of the tooth as it appears
on the radiograph.

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Estimated Working Length

Radiographic length minus 1mm.

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Final Working Length

is determined to be -1 mm from the
anatomical apex as measured from
the working length (WL) radiograph.
THIS IS THE LENGTH TO
WHICH THE CANAL WILL BE
CLEANED & SHAPED AND
OBTURATED.
2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Select a Reference Point

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Take a Preoperative Radiograph

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Preoperative Radiograph
Apex
Measure the
radiographic length.

Reference pt.
2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Measure the radiographic length

Ex. 22mm

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Compute for Estimated Length

Estimated Length is
radiographic length
minus 1mm.
Ex. 22mm - 1mm = 21mm

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Treatment Record

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Treatment Record

Incisal edge

21 mm

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Set #15 file to Estimated Length

Insert the file into the canal to stopper

length and take a radiograph at this time.

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Working Length Radiograph

The best case
scenario is that there
is no radiographic
distortion with the
preoperative
radiograph.
The working length
radiograph should
show that the file
ends 1mm short of
the apex.
2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Working Length Radiograph

File appears to
end 1mm short
of the apex.
No need to
adjust the final
working length.

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Working Length Radiograph

In this case, estimated
working length
is equal to the final
working length.
EWL = FWL
Record FWL

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Treatment Record

Incisal edge

21 mm

21 mm

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Working Length Radiograph

Sometimes, the
radiograph shows
that the file extends
more apical than the
ideal.
This means that the
EWL is long.
Deduct this
discrepancy from
your EWL to arrive
at the Final Working
Length.
2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Working Length Radiograph

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Working Length Radiograph

Example:
EWL=21mm
1mm

Since radiograph
shows that file is 1mm
long then

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Working Length Radiograph

Example:
EWL 1mm = FWL
1mm
21mm 1mm = 20mm

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Working Length Radiograph

Example:
EWL 1mm = FWL
1mm
21mm 1mm = 20mm

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Treatment Record

Incisal edge

21 mm

20 mm

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Working Length Radiograph

Sometimes, the
radiograph shows
that the file does not
reach the ideal
length.
This means that the
EWL is short.
Add this
discrepancy to your
EWL to arrive at the
Final Working
Length.
2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Working Length Radiograph

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Working Length Radiograph

0.5mm

Example:
EWL=21mm
Since radiograph
shows that file is
0.5mm short then

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Working Length Radiograph

0.5mm

Example:
EWL+0.5 mm=FWL
21mm+0.5mm=21.5mm

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Treatment Record

Incisal edge

21 mm

21.5 mm

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Working Length Radiograph

If the radiograph shows that the

discrepancy is more than 2mm, then a
new radiograph should be taken after
computing for the working length.

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS

Unacceptable discrepancy

2006 J.Bringas, DMD, DDS, MS