Evaluation of accuracy of two electronic apex locators Viz Propex-II and Elements Apex Locator: An In-Vitro Study

摘要

Background: To compare the accuracy of two commonly usedmultiple frequency electronic apex locators Viz.PropexII(Dentsply, Maillefer) and Elements apex locator(Sybron dentalspecialities)Method: Electronic working length determination was carried outin 22 single rooted extracted teeth using an In-vitro model(Gelatinconducting medium). Teeth were decoronated and the root canalscoronally flared. Actual canal lengths were then determined byinserting a #10 k-file until the tip was visualized (12.8Xmagnification) just within the apical foramina and randomlytested with each electronic apex locator (EAL) to determine theelectronic canal length. The Actual length was subtracted from theelectronically determined distance. The measurements exceedingthe Actual length were recorded as positive (long) and themeasurements (short) of the AL were recorded as negative.Results: The Mean differences between electronic and actuallengths - 0.2 mm and 0.43 mm for Elements apex locator andPropex II respectively. Unpaired student T-test showed nosignificant difference among EALs (P=0.005). The proportion ofelectronic canal length measurements falling within ±0.5 mm ofthe actual canal lengths for the EALs was as follows: 86.36% forthe Elements apex locator and 81.82% for the Propex II.Conclusion: Elements apex locator was more accurate at locatingthe apical foramen compared with the Propex II.