Comparative Evaluation of Accuracy of Different Apex Locators: Propex IQ, Raypex 6, Root ZX, and Apex ID with CBCT and Periapical Radiograph—In Vitro Study

Abstract

Objectives. This study aimed to validate the accuracy of working length (WL) measurements obtained with the newly introduced Propex IQ apex locator and to compare it with the latest generations of other electronic apex locators, CBCT, and conventional periapical radiographs by using the actual WL measurements obtained by using an endodontics microscope as a reference. Materials and Methods. Thirty-five extracted single-rooted human mandibular first premolars with curvatures from 10° to 20° were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and cut at the cementoenamel junction to achieve a standard reference point for WL determination. The actual WL was obtained by inserting a size-15 k-file in the root canal until the tip of the file was visible under an endodontic microscope. The definitive WL was measured using Propex IQ (Dentsply Sirona), Raypex 6 (VDW Dental), Root ZX (Morita), and Apex ID (Kerr Dental). In addition, radiographic WL was obtained using periapical radiographs and CBCT. One-way ANOVA was used for comparisons of the WL values, with a p value < 0.05. The percentage of success of each method for determination of the definitive WL was assessed using cross-tabulation and chi-square tests. Results. CBCT radiographs and Propex IQ apex locator yielded the most accurate WL measurements in comparison with the actual WL measurements ( p < 0.05 ). Raypex 6, Root ZX, and Apex ID yielded more accurate WL measurements than conventional periapical radiographs ( p < 0.05 ). Periapical radiographs yielded the least accurate WL measurements in comparison with the actual WL values ( p < 0.05 ). Conclusions. Within the limitations of this study, the Propex IQ apex locator showed higher accuracy than Raypex 6, Root ZX, and Apex ID for WL determination in the root canal. Nevertheless, CBCT radiographs yielded the maximum accuracy for WL measurements.

The Assessment of Quality of the Root Canal Filling and the Number of Visits Needed for Completing Primary Root Canal Treatment by Operators with Different Experience

“…In the present study, the WL was confirmed both radiographically and with apex locators. The accuracy of modern apex locators measurement is undisputable [ 42 , 43 ]. Additionally, WL measurements with an apex locator showed higher accuracy than conventional periapical radiographs [ 43 , 44 ].…”

“…The accuracy of modern apex locators measurement is undisputable [ 42 , 43 ]. Additionally, WL measurements with an apex locator showed higher accuracy than conventional periapical radiographs [ 43 , 44 ]. However, periapical lesions seemed to influence the measurements with apex locators [ 45 ].…”

Legal Liability of a Dentist: Inferior Alveolar Nerve Damage After Calcium Hydroxide Extrusion

“…Accurate determination of working length is the primary factor for successful endodontic treatment. A recent study found that cone beam CT-based radiographic measurements were the most accurate method for determining the working length, followed by electronic apex locators, which had very close results to cone-beam CT 5 …”

Correlation between the major apical foramen and readings from display’s numbers of two electronic apex locators: An ex vivo study

“…Many reports have evaluated the accuracy of EALs in apical constriction at 0.5 mm coronal from anatomic apex and the apical foramen 0.0 mm (Akisue et al2014;Khandewal et al 2015;Aguiar et al 2017;Saxena et al 2018;Golvankar et al 2019;Mahmoud et al 2021), but few studies have considered correlation between the distance from the file tip to the anatomical point and electronic apex locators display readings before the number 0.5 or 0.0, and it is unclear how precise the numbers on the display correlate with file position inside the root canal (Haupt et al 2018;Oliveira et al 2019). No study has assessed the RomiApex A-15 measurements between 2.0 and 0.0 number.…”

“…Cone-beam computed tomography is an accurate method that should be used for odontometry, only if the dentist already has this exam indicated for other treatments, avoiding unnecessary radiation to the patient (Connert et al 2018;Paterson et. al 2020;Mahmoud et al 2021) Therefore, the simplest and most used method to obtain the location of the apical foramen is the use of electronic apex locators (Melo et al, 2020;Pham 2021).…”