Issn: 1806-7727

RSBO

Electronic apex locators have been widely used for foraminal identification and for working length determination. The establishment of a correct apical limit is essential for a good prognosis in cases of pulp vitality or pulp infection. Objective and Case reports: The aim of the study is to report two cases where the use of electronic apex locators was crucial due to the inability to visualize the root apex due to a post-surgical retaining plate (case 1) and during orthodontic treatment with a maxillary expander (case 2). Conclusion: In this light we could confirm the effectiveness of these devices for the determination of the working length when it is impossible to perform it by radiographic techniques.

Brazilian Dental Journal, 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo the clinical applicability of two electronic apex locators (EALs) - Apex (Septodont) and iPex (NSK) - in different groups of human teeth by using radiography. The working lengths (WLs) of 100 root canals were determined electronically. The EAL to be used first was chosen randomly and a K-file was inserted into the root canal until the EAL display indicated the location of the apical constriction (0 mm). The K-file was fixed to the tooth and a periapical radiograph was taken using a radiographic film holder. The K-file was removed and the WL was measured. The same procedure was repeated using the other EAL. Radiographs were examined with the aid of a light-box with lens of ×4 magnification by two blinded experienced endodontists. The distance between the file tip and the root apex was recorded as follows: (A) +1 to 0 mm, (B) -0.1 to 0.5 mm, (C) -0.6 to 1 mm, (D) -1.1 to 1.5 mm, and (E) -1.6 mm or greater. For statistical purposes, these s...

The Open Dentistry Journal

Background: The apical extent of instrument termination and final root-filling procedures have been found to be key prognostic factors in relation to the outcome of root canal treatment. The precise location of this termination point has always been a challenge in clinical endodontics. Until the introduction of contemporary electronic apex locators (EALs), conventional radiography was traditionally used to determine the working length. Since their inception more than 50 years ago, EALs have drawn a great deal of attention. Objective: The literature pertaining to these devices is saturated yet inexhaustive and controversial. While most reviews try to summarize this topic entirely, the scope of the subject makes this close to impossible. Most systematic reviews report a lack of high-quality evidence, making it impossible to reach a meaningful conclusion. This review of literature focuses on electronic apex location and its accuracy, specifically in relation to variables in the clinica...

International Endodontic Journal, 2006

Plotino G, Grande NM, Brigante L, Lesti B, Somma F. Ex vivo accuracy of three electronic apex locators: Root ZX, Elements Diagnostic Unit and Apex Locator and ProPex.

International Dental Research, 2021

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of three apex locators in enlarged teeth with different apical diameters using files that are compatible and incompatible with the apical diameters. Methodology: Sixty lower premolars were used in this study. The actual canal length was determined with a stereo microscope, and the teeth were divided into three different groups (G25, G40 and G50). The teeth in G25, G40 and G50 were enlarged in actual canal length with apical diameters of 0.25, 0.40 and 0.50 mm using hand files and Reciproc R25, R40, and R50, respectively. In the electronic measurements, a #15 hand file was used in each group, and #25, #40 and #50 hand files that were compatible with the apical diameters of the teeth in the groups were used. An alginate model was created with enlarged teeth. The electronic working length was determined for each tooth using Root ZX Mini, Raypex 6, and Propex Pixi electronic apex locators (EALs). Results: Electronic measurement results that...

Brazilian Dental Journal, 2012

This study evaluated the accuracy of three electronic apex locators (Root ZX, Novapex, and Justy II) in root canal length determinations using different apical file sizes, considering the apical constriction (AC) and the major foramen (MF) as anatomic references. The diameter of the apical foramina of 40 single-rooted teeth was determined by direct visual measurement and the master apical file was established. Electronic measurements were then performed using 3 instruments: the selected master apical file (adjusted file), one size smaller (intermediate file), and two sizes smaller (misfit file). The distances from the tip of files fixed in the canals to the MF and to the AC were measured digitally. Precision at AC and at MF for the misfit, intermediate and adjusted apical files was as follows: 80%/88%/83% and 78%/83%/95% (Root ZX); 80%/85%/80% and 68%/73%/73% (Novapex); and 78%/80%/78% and 65%/78%/70% (Justy II). Considering the mean discrepancies, statistically significant differen...

Journal of the International Clinical Dental Research Organization, 2009

Traumatic injuries to the tooth may lead to a dilemma in the treatment plan specially in teeth with fractured roots with displacement. The treatment plan for teeth with root fractured with displaced apical segment is to implement root canal therapy up to the fractured line leaving the apical segment untreated. Determining the working length of the coronal segment may be difficult by radiograph, so we tested the accuracy of three electronic apex locators (EALs) to locate the apical limit in teeth with simulated oblique root fractures. An oblique incomplete root fracture was simulated on 15 freshly extracted maxillary anterior teeth by means of a notch made on the vestibular root plane 8 mm from the anatomic apex. The EALs investigated were the ProPex (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), Root ZX (J.Morita Co, Kyoto, Japan). Dentaport ZX ( J. Morita Co., Kyoto, Japan). The electronic measurements were compared with the real working length. The accuracy obtained was of 86.6% (...

Dental Press Endodontics, 2014

original article in vitro comparison of the efficiency of two electronic apex locators aBStract Introduction: The use of radiography has become a widespread method for determining working length in endodontics, although it is widely recognized that radiography has its own limitations. In order to render the assessment of working length increasingly accurate different electronic apex locators have been developed. The objective of this study is to compare in vitro the effectiveness of two electronic apex locators, namely, Root ZX and Apex DSP. Methods: After coronary opening and preparation of the cervical and medium thirds of the root canal a K-type file was inserted into the canal as far as the most cervical edge of the apical foramen.

2016

Electronic Apex Locators as an adjunctive diagnostic tool for detection of root fractures have proven to be of significant importance as it uses the electrical resistance principle. Any fracture site that communicates with the periodontium, on file introduction within the canal, will be detected as a new connection between the canal and periodontium and be read as "apex" on the digital display monitor [1, 4].

The accuracy of three electronic apex locators (EALs) (Justy II, Root ZX, and Neosono Ultima EZ) is evaluated, together with the concordance of the measurements obtained by two different operators. Twenty single-root human teeth were used, sectioning the crown to gain access to the root canal. A first operator (A) determined the reference (or control) length (corresponding to the actual length) for each tooth, after which all teeth were measured individually and independently by the other two operators (B and C). The results obtained with each EAL and by each operator were in turn compared with the corresponding control length. The statistical analysis of the results showed EAL reliability in detecting the apex to vary from 80% to 85% and 85% to 90% (depending on the operator) for the Justy II and Neosono systems, respectively, whereas reliability was found to be 85% for the Root ZX device. These results, combined with a high interobserver concordance, suggest electronic root canal measurement to be an objective and acceptably reproducible technique.