| JNDA Vol. 18 No. 2 (July - December 2018) | |
Working Length Determination by Two Apex Locators: An In Vivo Study |
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| Dr. Reema Joshi, Dr. Reetu Shrestha, Dr. Asha Thapa | |
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| Abstract | |
Introduction: The endodontic success depends on the complete removal of all pulp tissue, necrotic material and microorganisms from the root canals. Several devices for measuring the root canal length have been developed and tested. The use of electronic apex locators for working length determination eliminates many of the problems associated with the radiographic measurements. Objective: To test the accuracy of two new apex locators Propex mini and Root ZX mini in determining working length. Materials and Method: Thirty-two single-rooted teeth were selected from the patients who were scheduled for extractions. Access cavities were prepared and pulp was extirpated. Both the electronic apex locators were used to measure the working length and the values noted. With the aid of the stereomicroscope (20X) the distance between the tip of each file and the apical foramen of each specimen was analysed. Negative and positive values were attributed to measurements that were short and beyond the apical foramen, respectively. Result: No significant statistical difference was found between actual length of the canal and the length measured by Root ZX mini whereas there was significant difference between actual length of the canal and canal length measured by Propex mini electronic apex locator. A cent percent accuracy was seen with Root ZX mini within the range of 0.5 mm whereas 96.9% accuracy was seen with Propex mini apex locator. Conclusion: Electronic apex locator Root ZX mini and Propex mini can accurately determine the working length however, Root ZX mini showed better accuracy. |
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| Keywords | |
Electronic apex locator; propex mini; root zx mini; working length. |
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