Objective: The apical constriction (AC) and the apical foramen (AF) are the principal reference points used to determine the apical limit for instrumentation and root canal filling. AC varies in different races, and the aim of the current study was to measure and compare the distances from AC to AF and the anatomical apex (AA) in incisor and molar teeth in the Iranian population.
Materials and methods: Forty-five roots of incisor teeth and 45 roots of molar teeth were selected randomly in Isfahan Province, Iran. If the foramen was located toward the mesial or distal side of the apex, the cut was made mesiodistally, and if it was toward the buccal or lingual side, the section was made accordingly. Roots were examined under a microscope at ×25 magnification. The distances from AC to AF and AA were then estimated using a Motic camera. Descriptive statistics were used. The independent t-test was also used to compare distances in incisors and molars, and P = 0.05 was deemed to indicate statistical significance.
Results: The mean distances between AC and AF were 0.847 ± 0.33 mm in incisors and 0.709 ± 0.27 mm in molars. The mean distances between AC and AA were 1.23 ± 0.39 mm in incisors and 1.01 ± 0.38 mm in molars. In an independent t-test, the distances between AC and AF differed significantly in incisors and molars (P = 0.035), but the distances between AC and AA did not (P = 0.172).
Conclusion: The end points for root canal therapy should be 0.85 mm in incisors and 0.70 mm in molars.
Keywords: Anatomical apex; apical constriction; apical foramen.