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Introduction: Accurate determination of working length (WL) of root canal system is needed to eliminate infection and protect same tooth from future microbial invasion. For this, electronic apex locator (EAL) has been widely used to increase the accuracy of actual length (AL) determination in comparison to traditional methods leading to successful endodontic treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of sixth generation EAL (Apex ID) in determining WL of root canal using Stainless Steel (SS) and Nickel Titanium (NiTi) hand files in both dry canals and three simulated wet conditions: human blood plasma, 3% sodium hypochlorite, and 2% chlorhexidine.

Materials and Method: Sixty single-rooted teeth with closed apex were selected by convenience sampling for this analytical cross-sectional study conducted at Kantipur Dental College from July 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021 after ethical approval. After determination of actual length, Apex ID was used to determine WL of root canal using SS and NiTi hand files in both dry canals and all three simulated conditions. Recorded AL was compared with values obtained with EALs using SS and NiTi files in different simulated conditions and statistically analysed using SPSS v.21.

Result: Findings of this study showed that accuracy in WL measurement by sixth generation EAL (Apex ID) using NiTi and SS file was almost similar in different simulated conditions.

Conclusion:  Hence, during root canal treatment, both SS hand K-file and NiTi file can be used interchangeably without compromising the WL while using with Apex ID EAL as the results show almost equal accuracy.

Electronic apex locator (Apex ID); nickel titanium hand file; stainless steel hand file; wet canal; working length.