Accuracy of the apex locating function of TCM Endo V in simulated conditions: a comparison study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the apex-locating function of the TCM Endo V and to compare the results to these of the Root ZX.


METHODS
Forty-seven extracted maxillary incisor teeth with mature apices and patent single root canals were used for the study. After the root surfaces were cleaned and access cavities were prepared, the true working lengths (TL) were determined with a #10 stainless steel file. All samples were mounted in an alginate model especially developed to test the apex locators. Both electronic apex locators were used according to the manufacturer's recommendations and adjusted to 0.5-mm accuracy to the apical foramen. EL(1) was designates as the working length measured with Root ZX and EL(2) was designated as the working length measured with TCM Endo V. A paired t test was used to statistically analyze the significance of the mean differences at the 95% confidence interval of the differences (P = .001) among TL, EL(1), and EL(2).


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences between TL and EL(1), TL and EL(2), and EL(1) and EL(2) (P = .001). Both Root ZX and TCM Endo V gave similar results.


CONCLUSIONS
TCM Endo V proved to be as reliable as Root ZX but the use of the device to determine the working length was not easy as Root ZX. Further studies are needed to compare TCM Endo V in clinical conditions with similar electric motor and apex locator combined devices.
Topuz
Ozgür
O
Gazi University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Ankara, Turkey. topuz@gazi.edu.tr <topuz@gazi.edu.tr>
Uzun
Ozgür
O
Tinaz
Ali Cemal
AC
Sadik
Burak
B
D003762:Dental Instruments; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009811:Odontometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000033:anatomy & histology*