Comparison of Accuracy of Dentaport ZX, Rootor and E-Pex Pro Electronic Apex Locators in Two Simulated Clinical Conditions: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Background:The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the accuracy in measuring the working length (WL) using Dentaport ZX, Rootor, and a newly introduced budget friendly electronic apex locator (EAL), E-Pex Pro in two commonly simulated clinical conditions (in the presence of irrigant and blood).Materials and Methodology:Eighty-eight single-rooted premolars were randomly assigned to two groups according to simulated clinical conditions: Group 1: Presence of irrigant (5% NaOCl) and Group 2: Presence of blood. WL was determined with all three EAL and was then compared with actual length (AL) of the tooth, which was measured using Vision Inspection System. The difference between the length measured by EAL and AL was tabulated and statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc Dunnett's test. All testing was done using two-sided tests at alpha 0.05 (95% confidence level). Thus, the criteria for rejecting the null hypothesis were “P < 0.05.”Results:Measurement using Dentaport ZX, Rootor, and E-Pex Pro had an accuracy of 99.79%, 99.69%, and 99.64%, respectively, in Group 1 and 99.95%, 99.7%, and 99.74%, respectively, in Group 2. ANOVA revealed that the mean error value is least for Dentaport ZX followed by Rootor and then E-Pex pro EAL.Conclusion:Dentaport ZX gave better results both in the presence of NaOCl and blood followed by Rootor and E-Pex Pro EALs.