title: Efficiency of 2 electronic apex locators on working length determination: A clinical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the clinical accuracy of two electronic apex locators (EALs).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 120 patients with 283 roots were randomized into three groups including, traditional radiographic method, EAL (Root ZX mini), and apex locating endodontic motor (VDW Gold) for working length (WL) determination. Root canals were instrumented to a size ProTaper F3 nickel titanium file. The obturation quality of matched tapered master cone (ProTaper F3) was determined for the accuracy of WL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive statistics were expressed as numbers and percentages. Pearson Chi-square test was used to determine for differences between groups. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant difference between the three tested groups (P = 0.894).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The success of both apex locators was similar to the radiographic WL determination technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Bülent Ecevit University, Faculty of Dentistry, Zonguldak, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sibel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koçak
authors.forename: Mustafa Murat
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Koçak
authors.forename: Baran Can
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Sağlam
keywords: Apex locator; apical constriction; radiography; root canal treatment; working length determination