title: In vivo comparison of the accuracy of two electronic apex locators.
abstract: The aim of this study was to analyse in vivo the accuracy of two apex locators, Root ZX and Novapex, to determine the position of the apical constriction. Twenty-three human single-rooted teeth to be extracted for periodontal reasons constituted the experiment. Endodontic access was obtained and the apical constriction was determined by one of the apex locators after initial crown-down preparation. When the electronic marker indicated that the tip of the endodontic file was at the apical constriction, the teeth were filled with composite and then surgically removed. The presence of the endodontic file tip at the apical constriction was evaluated stereomicroscopically (30×) and confirming radiographs were exposed. The accuracy of Root ZX and Novapex was 91.7% and 81.8% respectively. Within the limits of this study, the evaluated apex locators have a similar clinical performance for the apical constriction location.
authors.affiliation: Department of Semiology and Clinics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil. lfms1960@gmail.com
authors.forename: Luiz F M
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.forename: Fernanda V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Petry
authors.forename: Josué
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martos
authors.forename: João B C
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Neto
mesh_terms: D001641:Bicuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003481:Cuspid / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055615:Electrical Equipment and Supplies / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009811:Odontometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D011859:Radiography; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging