RESUMEN
Background: The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the accuracy in measuring the working length (WL) using Dentaport ZX, Rootor, and a newly introduced budget friendly electronic apex locator (EAL), E-Pex Pro in two commonly simulated clinical conditions (in the presence of irrigant and blood). Materials and Methodology: Eighty-eight single-rooted premolars were randomly assigned to two groups according to simulated clinical conditions: Group 1: Presence of irrigant (5% NaOCl) and Group 2: Presence of blood. WL was determined with all three EAL and was then compared with actual length (AL) of the tooth, which was measured using Vision Inspection System. The difference between the length measured by EAL and AL was tabulated and statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc Dunnett's test. All testing was done using two-sided tests at alpha 0.05 (95% confidence level). Thus, the criteria for rejecting the null hypothesis were "P < 0.05." Results: Measurement using Dentaport ZX, Rootor, and E-Pex Pro had an accuracy of 99.79%, 99.69%, and 99.64%, respectively, in Group 1 and 99.95%, 99.7%, and 99.74%, respectively, in Group 2. ANOVA revealed that the mean error value is least for Dentaport ZX followed by Rootor and then E-Pex pro EAL. Conclusion: Dentaport ZX gave better results both in the presence of NaOCl and blood followed by Rootor and E-Pex Pro EALs.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of the Dentaport ZX (Morita Co, Kyoto, Japan) and the Rootor (Meta Biomed, Cheongwon-gun, Korea) electronic apex locators (EALs) in detecting root perforations in dry conditions and in the presence of the following irrigation solutions: 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 0.9% saline solution (NaCl), and 17% EDTA. METHODS: Twenty extracted, single-rooted human teeth were perforated artificially in the middle section. The actual canal lengths (ALs) up to the perforation site were determined, and then the teeth were embedded in an alginate mold. The electronic measurements of the perforations were obtained using a size 20 K-file by each EAL in various conditions. For each tooth, the AL was subtracted from the electronic length of the perforation. Statistical analyses were performed using the Friedman and Wilcoxon signed rank tests at a significance level of P < .05. RESULTS: The most accurate measurements for both EALs were obtained in dry conditions. Among the irrigation solutions in the Dentaport ZX group, EDTA gave the most accurate results, and NaOCl gave the least accurate ones. However, measurements with NaCl were closer to the AL than those obtained with EDTA for the Rootor group. Significant differences were noted among the EALs when the measurements were taken with NaOCl, NaCl, and EDTA (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The Dentaport ZX was more accurate compared with the Rootor in the presence of different irrigants. The content of the root canal affected the accuracy of both EALs. The most accurate measurements were obtained in dry canals.