title: Comparison of two electronic apex locators on human cadavers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study on human cadavers was to compare the accuracy of two electronic apex locators (EALs) Dentaport ZX (J. Morita Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) and Raypex 6 (VDW, Munich, Germany).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two single rooted teeth of four human cadaver heads were scheduled for this study. Before the extraction, an access cavity was opened and the crown was cut to establish a stable reference point for all measurements. The working length determination was performed with Dentaport ZX and Raypex 6 in the presence or not of 5.25 % sodium hypochlorite (SH) using a k-file 10. The teeth were then extracted and the real working length (RWL) was measured under a stereomicroscope at ×30 magnification. The difference between the two working lengths was calculated: positive values indicate measurements exceeding the foramen, while negative values indicated measurements short of the foramen. The data were analyzed with a t test analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean of distances was 0.33 ± 0.20 mm and 0.32 ± 0.2 mm for Dentaport ZX respectively in the presence or not of SH and 0.38 ± 0.20 mm and 0.39 ± 0.19 mm for Raypex 6. No statistical differences were found between the two devices (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both apex locators showed a high accuracy in the presence or not of SH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both electronic apex locators can be recommended for clinical use and their accuracy is not affected by SH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Largo A. Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marigo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Translational Research of Locomotor Apparatus Nicola Cerulli -LPMRI- srl, Via A. Einstein, 12 /L, 52100, Arezzo, Italy.
authors.forename: Gian Luca
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Gervasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Largo A. Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Somma
authors.affiliation: , Via Murat, 98, 70122, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Squeo
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Largo A. Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy. raffaellacastagnola@inwind.it.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Castagnola
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D009811:Odontometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000737:chemistry; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
chemical_list: D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite
keywords: Dentaport ZX; Electronic apex locators; Human cadaver; Raypex 6