Abstract
Objective: this study aimed to evaluate the effects of irrigants and dry canal on the accuracy of electronic apex locator (EAL) in locating simulated root perforations. Material and methods: twenty singlerooted, mandibular premolars were decoronated at CEJ, and the contents were removed with a barbed broach. The canals were instrumented up to a size of 15 K-file. The roots were artificially perforated at 4 mm from the anatomic apex. The actual length (AL) up to the perforation site was determined. The electronic length (EL) of perforations was obtained by Root ZX mini and iRoot in the dry canal and in the presence of 5.2% NaOCl, SmearOff, and 0.9% sodium chloride using a size 20 K-file. The differences between the EL and AL of the perforations were calculated. Statistical analyses using Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to analyse the data with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. Results: there were significant differences in different canal conditions with both Root ZX mini and i Root. Measurements in dry canals were significantly longer for both apex locators (p < 0.05). Measurements with NaOCl were significantly shorter for both apex locators (p < 0.05). Both apex locators produced significantly accurate values for Saline and Smear OFF (p < 0.05). Conclusions: in this study, both Root ZX mini and i Root were affected by different canal conditions. The most accurate measurements were seen in the presence of saline and SmearOFF.KEYWORDS Electronic apex locator; I Root; Perforation; Root ZX mini; SmearOFF; Sodium hypochlorite; Saline.Keywords: Electronic apex locator, i Root, perforation, Root ZX mini, SmearOFF, sodium hypochlorite, saline
Highlights
Root perforation is a mechanical or pathological communication between the root canal system and the supporting tissues of teeth or oral cavity [1]
No significant difference was noted between electronic apex locator (EAL) when the measurements were obtained under different canal conditions
Root canal perforations are a serious treatment complication that compromises the health of periradicular tissues and tooth retention
Summary
Root perforation is a mechanical or pathological communication between the root canal system and the supporting tissues of teeth or oral cavity [1]. The time elapsed between perforation and treatment, perforation size, and location are essential when treating the affected site [2]. Identification of root perforations is possible by the direct observation of bleeding, paper point, radiography, and EAL [3]. Root perforations can be diagnosed through periapical radiographs of the mesio-distal aspect of the teeth. Root perforations are frequently missed in the bucco-lingual axis. D‘Addazio et al [4] determined that periapical radiographs did not identify the majority of perforations, which led to inaccurate diagnosis in 20% of the cases
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