Evaluation of The Accuracy of Two Apex Locators For Determining The Working Length of Endodontically Retreated Curved Mesial Roots of Maxillary Molar Teeth : An Ex Vivo Study

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Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of PROPEX PİXİ (Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and Apex ID (Sybron Endo, Orange, CA, USA) in determining the working lengths of curved mesial roots of upper molars during the retreatment procedure. Method: Twenty curved mesial roots of upper molar teeth were selected. Canals were shaped with ProTaper Next instruments (Dentsply Sirona) up to X3. The canal lengths were determined with a microscope (Carl Zeiss GmbH, Oberkochen, Germany) at 2,5X magnification (DM) and then also detected electronically (EM1P and EM1A) with PROPEX PİXİ (Dentsply Sirona) and Apex ID (Sybron Endo) in an alginate model. Specimens were then obturated using a size X3 master gutta-percha cone and an epoxy resin-based root canal sealer. Seven days later, the coronal part of the filling was removed with a Gates Glidden drill size 3 and for the middle part Protaper Universal Retreatment File D2 used. Working lengths electronically were detected again by two different apex locaters (EM2P and EM2A). Data were analysed by using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank and Mann Whitney u test. The analyses were carried out with MedCalc Statistical Software. Results: No significant difference was found between direct measurements (DM) and electronic measurements before and during retreatment for PROPEX PİXİ (P=0.135) and Apex ID (P=0.232). Also there was no significant difference between two apex locaters before (P=0.108) and during retreatment (P=0.242) Conclusion: PROPEX PİXİ and Apex ID were considered accurate for the root canal length determination during retreatment procedure. Keywords: Apex locator, curved molar, retreatment, working lenght