In vitro comparison of working length determination using three different electronic apex locators

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of the apex-locating functions
of DentaPort ZX, Raypex 5 and Endo Master electronic apex locators (EALs) in vitro.
Materials and Methods: Thirty extracted human single-rooted teeth with mature apices were
used for the study. The real working length (RWL) was established by subtracting 0.5 mm from the
actual root canal length. All teeth were mounted in an alginate model that was especially developed
to test the EALs and the teeth were then measured with each EAL. The results were compared
with the corresponding RWL, which was subtracted from the electronically determined distance.
Data were analyzed using a paired-samples t-test, a Chi-square test and a repeated measure analysis
of variance evaluation at the 0.05 level of signifi cance.
Results: Statistical analysis showed that no signifi cant difference was found among all EALs (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The accuracy of the EALs was evaluated and all of the devices showed an acceptable
determination of electronic working length between the ranges of ±0.5 mm.
Key Words: DentaPort ZX, electronic apex locator, Endo Master, Raypex 5, working length