An in vitro evaluation of the accuracy of two electronic apex locators to determine working length in the presence of various irrigants

Abstract

Background: Cleaning and shaping of root canal system requires various irrigating solutions. The question is whether the presence of irrigation solution alters working length determination using apex locators. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of Root ZX and i-Root apex locator for determining working length in the presence of different irrigating solution.

Materials and method: Eighty extracted single rooted human teeth were used. The teeth were sectioned at Cemento Enamel Junction (CEJ) and actual canal length determined. Then, working length measurements were obtained using Root ZX and i-Root apex locator in the presence of irrigating solutions namely 0.9% saline, 3% of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% chlorhexidine digluconate(CHX) and 17% Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic acid (EDTA). The measurements obtained with Root ZX and i-Root apex locator were compared with actual canal length and subjected to statistical analysis using Post Hoc Test Tukey’s Method.

Results: This study revealed that both the tested Electronic apex locators (EAL) were able to measure the canal length in the presence of tested irrigating solutions. The presence of irrigating solutions of saline, NaOCl, chlorhexidine and EDTA in the root canal marginally influenced the accuracy of the Root ZX or i-Root (P < 0.36), but with no clinical significance.

Conclusion: Root ZX and i-Root can be used safely to determine working length in the presence of various irrigants. The content of the root canal did not influence the accuracy while measuring working length using Electronic apex locators (EAL)

Keywords: Chlorhexidine, Root ZX, i–Root Apex locator, sodium hypochlorite, saline