An in vivo comparison of working length determination of two frequency-based electronic apex locators

To compare in vivo the accuracy of two electronic apex locators (EALs) by means of digital radiographic imaging system.

Electronic working lengths of 831 canals were determined with the DentaPort ZX and Raypex 5 apex locators and confirmed radiographically. The radiographic images acquired with the aid of a digital radiographic imaging system (VisualiX eHD; Gendex Dental Systems, Des Plaines, IL, USA) were blindly analysed by two independent evaluators. The distance between the file tip and the radiographic apex was measured using dedicated software (VixWin Pro, Gendex Dental Systems, Des Plaines, IL, USA) and the mean distance achieved between different tooth type and EALs were compared statistically. Statistical analyses were performed using the t-test for independent samples and one-way anova with the null hypothesis set as 5%. Positive or negative values were recorded when the file tip was detected beyond or short of the radiographic apex, respectively.

The mean distance between file tip and radiographic apex were -1.08 +/- 0.73 and -1.0 +/- 0.67 mm considering DentaPort ZX and Raypex 5 groups, respectively, with no significant differences (P > 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found amongst the same tooth type when comparing both groups (P > 0.05) or amongst different teeth type in the same group (P > 0.05).

Within the limitations of this in vivo study, the DentaPort ZX and Raypex 5 were similar in terms of accuracy.