In vivo evaluation of accuracy and consistency of two electronic apex locators

Chien-Yun Pi; Euiseong Kim; Il-Young Jung; Seung-Jong Lee

doi:10.5395/JKACD.2010.35.6.453

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Pi, Kim, Jung, and Lee: In vivo evaluation of accuracy and consistency of two electronic apex locators

Basic Research

Journal of Korean Academy of Conservative Dentistry

Journal of Korean Academy of Conservative Dentistry 2010; 35(6): 453-460.

Published online: 30 November 2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5395/JKACD.2010.35.6.453

In vivo evaluation of accuracy and consistency of two electronic apex locators

Chien-Yun Pi, DDS¹, Euiseong Kim, DDS, MSD, PhD², Il-Young Jung, DDS, MSD, PhD², Seung-Jong Lee, DDS, MSD, PhD²

Resident

Professor

¹Department of Conservative Dentistry, Wonju Christian Hospital, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea.

²Department of Conservative Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.

Correspondence to Seung-Jong Lee, DDS, MSD, PhD. Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, 250 Seongsanno, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea 120-752. TEL, +82-2-2228-3148; FAX, +82-2-313-7575; sjlee@yuhs.ac

Received 15 July 2010 Revised 15 September 2010 Accepted 27 September 2010

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the accuracy and consistency of two different apex locators at both the Apex and 0.5 marks.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-six root canals was scheduled for extraction for periodontal or prosthodontic reasons. Thirteen canals were measured using Root ZX and the rest by i-ROOT. The root canal length was measured both the at 0.5 mark and the Apex mark. The file was then fixed to the tooth, and the distance from the file tip to the major foramen of each canal was measured after removing the root dentin under the microscope so that the major foramen and the file tip were seen.

Results

When the Apex mark was used, 100% of both the Root ZX and i-ROOT groups were within 0.5 mm of the major foramen.
When 0.5 mark was used, 100% of the Root ZX group and 77% of the i-ROOT group were within 0.5 mm of the major foramen.
In terms of standard deviation and quartile value, the Apex mark was more consistent than 0.5 mark in the Root ZX group, and 0.5 mark was more consistent in the i-ROOT group, but there was no statistically significant difference when compared with t-test.
The root canal length difference between the Apex mark and 0.5 mark was 0.22 mm and 0.46 mm in the Root ZX and i-ROOT groups, respectively.

Conclusions

In this study, the Apex mark was the more consistent mark. Therefore, it is recommended to subtract 0.5 mm, which is the average length between the apex and apical constriction, from the root canal length at the Apex mark to obtain the working length clinically.

Keywords: Accuracy, Consistency, Electronic apex locator, Microscope

Figures and Tables

Figure 1

Root ZX

Figure 2

i-ROOT

Figure 3

Length measurements with digital caliper.

Figure 4

Distance between file tip and major foramen under I-solution program (Microscope image).

Figure 5

Box plots: Quartile value of file tip and major foramen distance at 0.5 mark and the Apex mark.

Table 1

Distance between file tip and major foramen at 0.5 mark and the Apex mark (mm), according to measurement Microscopic image

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