Abstract
Background/Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the precision of the Raypex 6 apex locator in locating the apical constriction (AC) and major foramen (MF) during a root canal treatment compared with a microscopic evaluation. Another aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Raypex 6 in the presence of different irrigating solutions (NaOCl, saline, EDTA, etidronic acid-HEBP). Material and Methods: One hundred and nine patients were included in this study and were randomly assigned into four groups according to the irrigation solution used; NaOCl, EDTA, HEBF and saline. Electronic MF (EMF) and AC (EAC) were measured by using Raypex 6. The teeth were extracted. The apical 3 mm of each canal was trimmed to expose the file tip. The samples were observed under a stereomicroscope, and the actual length of MF (ALMF) and AC (ALAC) were measured. The data were analyzed by using x2 test, and significance was set at P< 0.05. Results: The Raypex 6 was accurate 71.4% of the time to ±0.5mm and 93.3% of the time to ±1mm in determining the ALAC. While similar ALAC-EAC differences were observed in EDTA, NaOCl, and saline groups (p= 0.230), the highest differences were seen in the HEBP group (p= 1.000). The precision of Raypex 6 in determining the working length measurement depends on the type of irrigation. All solutions allowed reliable detection of AC. However, HEBF significantly increased the risk of overpreparation. Conclusions: Raypex 6 can be recommended for clinical use and its accuracy is not affected by the type of irrigant when locating MF.
Highlights
Root canal treatment (RCT) procedures should be confined within the root canal system[1]
No significant difference was observed between the test groups according to the mean difference between the Electronic MF (EMF) and actual length of MF (ALMF)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the precision of Raypex 6 apex locator in locating the apical constriction (AC) and major foramen (MF) during a root canal treatment compared with that of a microscopic evaluation
Summary
Root canal treatment (RCT) procedures should be confined within the root canal system[1]. The working length (WL) is defined as the distance between a coronal reference point and the point at which canal preparation and obturation should terminate[2]. Maintaining a correct working length (WL) during RCT is expected to positively influence the outcome of RCT. The minor apical foramen or apical isthmus is considered the end of the area for canal preparation and filling. The minor apical foramen is the border line between the dental pulp and periodontal area, which is approximately. 0.5-1 mm from the anatomic apex[3]. Failure to determine the root canal length can result in both over- and underestimation of the root canal length[1,4]
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