Desenvolvimento de um localizador eletrônico de forame apical

Abstract

This work describes the development and testing of a prototype Electronic Apex Locator for use in endodontic treatments. After reviewing various types of electronic apex locators, the frequency-based model was chosen as the most effective and feasible due to its lower sensitivity to moisture variations within the root canal. Owing to limited access to human or animal teeth, the prototype was tested using a simulated tooth model built on a breadboard, employing a parallel RC circuit. This setup allowed for the simulation of root canal impedance and enabled testing of the Electronic Apex Locator’s behavior under different conditions. The test results demonstrated that the prototype is capable of detecting impedance variations at two frequencies (1 kHz and 5 kHz), confirming the operational principle of frequency-based apex locators. Timeand frequency-domain analyses revealed an inverse correlation between simulated resistance and signal amplitude, as well as changes in the difference between frequency components. Although the RC model is a simplification, it proved effective for validating the basic operation of the prototype in a laboratory environment, overcoming the limitations related to biological material access. This study contributes to the academic field by presenting an impedance measurement prototype for an apical foramen locator and by demonstrating an alternative methodology for the validation of medical devices in early development stages.