An ex vivo comparison of three electronic apex locators

作者：Baginska Joanna^*; Linczuk Ewa; Botulinski Bartlomiej; Kierklo Anna

来源：Healthmed, 2012, 6(10): 3275-3280.

• electronic apex locators
• canal working length
• endodontic treatment
• ex vivo study

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate ex vivo the accuracy of root canal measurements by three electronic apex locators.
Method: For the purpose of this ex vivo study, forty single root and single canal human teeth were prepared by cutting the crown to produce a flat surface for the precise reference point. Each canal was instrumented by the K-type file No. 10 until the file was visible at the apical foramen under 2.5x magnification and the control length (CL) was recorded with an endodontic ruler with a precision of 0.5 mm. Teeth were embedded in a plastic container filled with an alginate mold. The electronic length (EL) was established by three fifth-generation electronic apex locators: Rypex 5 (VDW GmbH, Munich, Germany), Locapex Five (Ionyx, Blanquefort, France) and Apex D.S.P. (Septodont, France). The measurements were taken three times by one operator until the devices signalized that the file reached the apical foramen. Differences between CL and EL were calculated and classified according to discrepancies in mm. Obtained data were analysed by the Pearson correlation coefficient and t test with 5% level of significance.
Results: The apical foramen was determined like CL in 70.5% of the specimens for Rypex 5, and in 62.5% and 57.5%, respectively, for Apex D.S.P. and Locapex Five. An analysis of Pearson's correlation coefficient revealed high levels of agreement between EL obtained by evaluated devices and CL. The t test showed no significant differences between CL and Rypex 5 (p=0.6078), however, such differences were shown for Apex D.S.P. and Locapex Five (p=0.006 and p=0.0311, respectively). For both units the mean EL was 0.2 mm shorter than the CL.
Conclusion: Under the condition of this ex vivo study, Rypex 5, Locapex Five and Apex D.S.P. EALs were found to be precise in determining the tooth's apical foramen. Differences between direct visual measurements and electronic measurements observed in case of Apex D.S.P. and Locapex Five devices are not clinically significant.

• 出版日期2012