The accuracy of root canal measurements using the Mini Apex Locator and Root ZX-II: an evaluation in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the capacity of the Root ZX-II and Mini Apex Locator, electronic apex locators (EALS), to prevent overestimated working length.


METHODS
Forty extracted human teeth were used for the study. The cervical portion of each canal was flared using Gates Glidden drills and the teeth were embedded in an alginate model. Canals were irrigated with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. The actual length (AL) and electronic length (EL) measurements were made on each specimen separately with both devices with the aid of a k-type file.


RESULTS
The results obtained with each EAL were compared with the corresponding actual length. The statistical analysis of the results showed EAL reliability to prevent overestimated working length to be 100% for the Mini Apex Locator and 97.44% for the Root ZX-II, within a tolerance of +/-0.5 mm into account. A paired sample t test showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the accuracy of the devices (P = .5841).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that the Root ZX-II and Mini Apex Locator are accurate devices to prevent overestimated working length.
D'Assunção
Fábio Luiz Cunha
FL
Departament of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil. fabioendo@click21.com.br
de Albuquerque
Diana Santana
DS
Salazar-Silva
Juan Ramon
JR
de Queiroz Ferreira
Linalda Correia
LC
Bezerra
Priscila Medeiros
PM
D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D009811:Odontometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging