Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Precision of In Vivo Quantitative Tooth Wear Measurement Using Intra-Oral Scans
Published on: July 12, 2022
Accuracy of three electronic apex locators compared with digital radiography: an ex vivo study
Luigi Cianconi1, Vincenzo Angotti, Roberto Felici
1Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Introduction:
This study compared (1) the accuracy of three different electronic apex locators (EALs) in detecting the apical foramen ex vivo under clinical conditions; (2) the accuracy of digital radiography and EALs in determining the working length (WL) with visible control under a microscope; and (3) the precision of #10, #15, and #20 K-files in electronic measurements.
Methods:
The length of 101 extracted human teeth was measured with three different EALs (Endex [Osada Electric Co, Tokyo, Japan], ProPex II [Dentsply-Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland], and Root ZX [J. Morita Co, Tustin, CA]), with radio videography (RVG) and compared with the actual length. An endodontic training kit (Pro-Train; Simit Dental, Mantova, Italy) was used during the experimental procedures.
Results:
Statistical analysis showed that Endex and ProPex II were more accurate than Root ZX in determining the WL. The paired sample t test showed no statistically significant difference between the accuracy of the two radiographic planes examined. The t test showed no significant difference between the three different K-file sizes measurements.
Conclusions:
Endex and ProPex II were more accurate than Root ZX in determining the actual WL. Instrument sizes of hand files did not affect the accuracy of EALs. EALs showed to be more accurate in determining the WL than RVG.
