Email this article Accuracy of two electronic apex locators in locating root perforations in curved canals in dry and wet conditions: A comparative in vitro study
Abstract
Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of iPex and Vdw gold apex
locators in detecting simulated root perforations in curved canals in the presence of 3% sodium
hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 2% chlorhexidine (CHX).
Materials and Methods: In this comparative in vitro study Twenty mandibular molars with curved
mesial roots were selected and perforation was made in the danger zone 4 mm from the furcation
area. The actual length of the perforation site was measured using stereomicroscope software using
a #15 K file, following which the teeth were embedded in alginate molds. The perforation site was
electronically measured using two apex locators, iPex and Vdw gold in dry condition and in the
presence of 3% NaOCl and 2% CHX. The values obtained were compared using the Friedman and
Wilcoxon signed‑rank test with level of statistical significance set at P ≤ 0.05.
Results: In dry condition, Vdw gold showed near accurate values, i.e., 0.25 mm from the manual
value whereas iPex showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) of 0.76 mm from the manual value. In
the presence of 3% NaOCl, both the apex locators showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) from
the manual value with iPex showing a difference of 0.70 mm and Vdw gold showing a difference of
0.74 mm. The most accurate values were determined by both the apex locators in the presence of
2% CHX with iPex showing a deviation of 0.13 mm and Vdw gold showing a deviation of 0.39 mm
from the manual.
Conclusion: In dry condition, Vdw group showed better results than iPex in determining the
length of the root perforation. In wet condition, in the presence of 2% CHX, both the apex locators
accurately measured the perforation site, whereas in the presence of 3% NaOCl, both the apex
locators showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) from the manual value in detecting the root
perforation.
Key Words: Curved, root canal length, root canal irrigants
locators in detecting simulated root perforations in curved canals in the presence of 3% sodium
hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 2% chlorhexidine (CHX).
Materials and Methods: In this comparative in vitro study Twenty mandibular molars with curved
mesial roots were selected and perforation was made in the danger zone 4 mm from the furcation
area. The actual length of the perforation site was measured using stereomicroscope software using
a #15 K file, following which the teeth were embedded in alginate molds. The perforation site was
electronically measured using two apex locators, iPex and Vdw gold in dry condition and in the
presence of 3% NaOCl and 2% CHX. The values obtained were compared using the Friedman and
Wilcoxon signed‑rank test with level of statistical significance set at P ≤ 0.05.
Results: In dry condition, Vdw gold showed near accurate values, i.e., 0.25 mm from the manual
value whereas iPex showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) of 0.76 mm from the manual value. In
the presence of 3% NaOCl, both the apex locators showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) from
the manual value with iPex showing a difference of 0.70 mm and Vdw gold showing a difference of
0.74 mm. The most accurate values were determined by both the apex locators in the presence of
2% CHX with iPex showing a deviation of 0.13 mm and Vdw gold showing a deviation of 0.39 mm
from the manual.
Conclusion: In dry condition, Vdw group showed better results than iPex in determining the
length of the root perforation. In wet condition, in the presence of 2% CHX, both the apex locators
accurately measured the perforation site, whereas in the presence of 3% NaOCl, both the apex
locators showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) from the manual value in detecting the root
perforation.
Key Words: Curved, root canal length, root canal irrigants
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