Comparison of Accuracy in Determining the Root Canal Working Length by Using Two Generations of Apex Locators - An In Vitro Study.

Aim: The present in-vitro study aims to compare the accuracy of root canal working length determination between the third generation and fourth generation electronic apex locators.

Material And Methods: Fifty extracted single-rooted single canal teeth were selected for the study, and a definite coronal plane was prepared. Actual working length (AL) was measured using a stereomicroscope under 8X magnification. Electronic working length measurements were recorded using Root ZX (EL1) and Elements Diagnostic Unit (EL2) apex locators. One-way ANOVA test was carried out to analyse the data among the experimental groups.

Results: The results of the one-way ANOVA test showed that difference in the working length determined by either apex locators (EL1 and EL2) and actual length determined under a stereomicroscope (AL) was statistically not significant. The independent 't' test comparing between groups EL1 and AL; and EL2 and AL showed that working length determined by either of the apex locators (EL1 and EL2) and actual length determined under a stereomicroscope (AL) was statistically not significant.

Conclusion: In this in vitro study, the Root ZX and Elements Diagnostic Unit apex locators are equally accurate for determination of working length when compared to actual working length.