Evaluation of precision of length determination with 3 electronic apex locators: Root ZX, Elements Diagnostic Unit and Apex Locator, and RomiAPEX D-30.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of precision of 3 apex locators: Root ZX, Elements Diagnostic Unit and Apex Locator, and RomiAPEX D-30.


METHODS
Forty extracted single-rooted human teeth were selected. After endodontic access, measurement of the anatomical tooth length was visually performed by insertion of a K-file size 10 until its tip could be observed at the apical foramen with aid of a light microscope at 8x magnification. Following, the teeth were placed in a plastic box with alginate and electronically measured with the 3 apex locators at 1-mm short of the apical foramen.


RESULTS
The results revealed a precision rate of 97.5% for Root ZX, 95% for Elements Diagnostic Unit and Apex Locator, and 92.5% for RomiAPEX D-30, with no statistically significant difference between them (chi-square test, P > .05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results confirm that all these electronic devices can accurately determine the root canal length within 1 mm from the apical constriction.
Bernardes
Ricardo Affonso
RA
Department of Endodontics, Bauru Dental School, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Sao Paulo, Brazil. dr.ricardoaffonso@uol.com.br
Duarte
Marco A H
MA
Vasconcelos
Bruno C
BC
Moraes
Ivaldo G
IG
Bernardineli
Norberti
N
Garcia
Roberto B
RB
Baldi
Jarcio V
JV
Victorino
Fausto R
FR
Bramante
Clovis M
CM
D003762:Dental Instruments; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004582:Electronics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D009811:Odontometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000033:anatomy & histology*