Evaluation of the effect of irrigants on the accuracy and repeatability of three electronic apex locators: an ex vivo study

D’Assunção, Fábio Luiz Cunha; Silva, Juan Ramón Salazar; Arnaud, Karen Christine Lacerda; Leite, Thiago Bezerra; Santos, José Carlos Oliveira; D’Assunção, Verônica Cabral dos Santos Cunha; Almeida, Andressa Cartaxo de

doi:10.33448/rsd-v10i13.21636

Cited by 1 publication

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“…The observed methodological variations in the studies and the consequent disparities in their findings could explain why many recommended using the Root ZX to locate the apical foramen [8][9][10][11], while others endorsed the manufacturer's claim on the ability of Root ZX to accurately locate the apical constriction [7,[12][13][14]. Precise location of the apical constriction requires histological assessment [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accuracy of Root ZX Electronic Apex Locator in Relation to Two Different Employment Protocols: An In Vitro Study

Alothmani,

Siddiqui

2023

Cureus

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Objective The aim of this study is to determine the apical level of the root canal, whether it is the apical foramen or a level coronal to it, that Root ZX (J. Morita Co., Kyoto, Japan) targets and to identify its employment protocol that provides better accuracy. Methods Actual lengths (ALs) of 75 extracted single-rooted teeth were obtained by inserting a K-file size 8 until its tip was in level with the most coronal border of the apical foramen. Reference length (RL) was calculated by deducting 0.5 mm from AL. Roots were placed in porous sponge block soaked with Ringer’s solution, and canals were irrigated with 2 mL of 5% sodium hypochlorite. The blinded operator used Root ZX to measure lengths with K-file size 8. In the first tested employment protocol, the file was advanced to the “APEX mark” of the digital display, and the length was obtained. The second employment protocol followed the manufacturer’s recommendations by inserting the file until the “APEX mark” followed by its withdrawal to the “0.5 mark.” Stability of the digital meter for 5 seconds was mandatory before recording the lengths. All measurements were repeated one week later and then both measurements were averaged to represent “APEX mark” and “0.5 mark,” respectively. Data were analyzed using t -test, with significance set at 0.05. Results Regardless of the employment protocol, most registered lengths were longer than targeted. The mean “APEX mark” was significantly longer than the mean AL ( P =0.000), and the mean “0.5 mark” was significantly longer than the mean RL ( P =0.000). Although the mean “0.5 mark” was longer than the mean AL, the difference was not significant ( P =0.07). Conclusion The apical level of the root canal targeted by the Root ZX was the apical foramen. The most accurate employment protocol to achieve that is to use the Root ZX according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

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