In vitro evaluation of the accuracy of five different electronic apex locators for determining the working length of endodontically retreated teeth

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of five electronic apex locators (EALs) in determining the working length (WL) of teeth after removal of the root canal obturation materials. A total of 32 extracted straight, single-rooted teeth were used. The actual canal length (AL) was determined and the WL was established by subtracting 0.5 mm from the AL. The root canals were instrumented and divided into two groups. One group (n = 6) served as control, while the other group (n = 26) was the experimental group. In the experimental group, the root canals were obturated using vertically compacted gutta-percha with AH 26 sealer. In both groups, the access cavities were restored with a provisional restoration and stored for 15 days at 37 degrees C and 100% humidity. The root canal obturation material was removed, and the teeth were then mounted in an experimental apparatus. Five EALs were used: Dentaport ZX, ProPex, Foramatron D10, Apex NRG and Apit 7. For the electronic measurement of canal length, a size 25 K-file was used. During measurement, the canal was irrigated with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. The difference (D) between the AL and the electronically determined length (EDL), AL-EDL, was calculated and recorded for each measurement. Data were analysed by two-way anova and Fisher's PLSD test. In both groups, statistically significant differences were found among the EALs (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the Dentaport ZX, ProPex and Foramatron D10 were more accurate than the other two EALs in determining the WL in teeth after removal of the root canal obturation materials. However, the Apex NRG and Apit 7 were also reliable for determination of the WL in the majority of the cases.