ABSTRACT
Background: Electronic Apex Locators (EAL) has been increasingly used to facilitate working length
determination in endodontics. This instrument is becoming more important to be used in addition to radiographs.
A steep learning curve has existed between EAL use in the clinical, from the pre-clinical settings. Objectives:
To fabricate a model that will facilitate dental students to use Electronic Apex Locator (EAL) in the dental
simulation clinic and to conduct a questionnaire-based survey to investigate Electronic Apex Locator Model
(EALM) effectiveness. Materials and Methods: Construction of model master jaw, EALM, using materials
available in the prosthetic laboratory. The model can be mounted on the phantom head which when connected to
an EAL will simulate its clinical use. A validated questionnaire was distributed to a group of n=10 pre-clinical
students before and after demonstration conducted at the simulation clinic. Results: A prototype EALM was
successfully fabricated at Universiti Teknologi MARA Dental Prosthetic Laboratory. with features incorporating
conductive-media-chamber, with attached anatomically-correct fabricated model teeth. The teeth were constructed
incorporating continuous access cavity, root canal, through to a patent apex. When attached to the jaw model, the
electrical circuit was connected allowing EAL to function. Conclusion: EALM can be conveniently constructed at
the Dental Prosthetic Laboratory by using materials readily available here. Furthermore, a steep learning curve
exist between pre-clinical and clinical studies was bridged by the use this EALM and this allowed familiarity
of clinical handling EAL. However, this study was limited by the small number of students exposed to this new
method. Further prospective study is required by increasing the sample size to provide more significant results.