The accuracy of the Raypex5 electronic apex locator using stainless-steel hand K-file versus nickel-titanium rotary Mtwo file

Abstract

Objectives: Today many clinicians use both stainless-steel hand K-files and nickel-titanium rotary files during endodontic treatment. It is of great importance for the clinician to have confidence in the accuracy of an apex locator even if these files were used interchangeably. The purpose of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Raypex5 electronic apex locator using stainless-steel hand K-file versus nickel-titanium rotary Mtwo file. Study design: Twenty straight and single canals of maxillary central teeth were used. Access cavities were prepared; actual working length were determined and compared with electronic working length obtained by means of apex locator Raypex5 using stainless-steel hand K-file and nickel-titanium rotary Mtwo file. Data was analyzed by paired T-test. Results: There was no significant difference between 15/0.02 stainless-steel hand K-file and 10/0.04 NiTi rotary Mtwo file for the mean differences between actual and electronic working length (p=0.126). Conclusions: Under the conditions of this in-vitro study, Raypex5 registered more measurements in acceptable range using 15/0.02 stainless-steel hand K-file and 10/0.04 NiTi rotary Mtwo file. It is possible to use them interchangeably without compromising the working length.

Clinical reproducibility of three electronic apex locators

“…These two EALs were evaluated in clinical and laboratory conditions with no significant differences between them in determining the AF and/or AC (Wrbas et al 2007, Ding et al 2010, Stoll et al 2010). Furthermore, the Raypex 5 showed comparable results in determining the WL with different canal instruments (Sadeghi & Abolghasemi 2010).…”

“…2010). Furthermore, the Raypex 5 showed comparable results in determining the WL with different canal instruments (Sadeghi & Abolghasemi 2010).…”

Influence of pulp condition on the accuracy of an electronic foramen locator in posterior teeth: an in vivo study

“…All measurements were conducted by the same experienced and trained operator, thus eliminating the possibility of operator bias. Although the issue of how the operator's skill influences EFL accuracy has not yet been described in the literature, extensive training and practice are required to ensure familiarity with these devices and consequently accurate measurements, as reported by Akisue et al 10 Other measures taken to ensure a standardized and reliable data collection process included the use of stainless steel K files, based on previous studies that have failed to show greater accuracy of nickel-titanium files, 15,20 as well as the selection of files according to each canal size. Ebrahim et al, 28 based on the results of an ex vivo study, recommended that root canal diameter should be estimated first, and then a snug-fitting file should be used for EFL root canal length determination.…”

“…16 Recently, many authors, using different research designs, have attested to the accuracy of several EFL models. 12,13,[17][18][19][20] One of the EFLs currently available is the NovApex  (Forum Engineering Technologies Ltd., Rishon Lezion, Israel) that operates based on the impedance principle, i.e., it uses alternating current of two or more frequencies while maintaining a fixed difference or ratio between the frequencies. 21 In other words, based on electrical properties (e.g.…”

New Multipurpose Endodontic Device Developed in Germany for Use in Predoctoral and Continuing Dental Education and Science

“…In addition, the use of extracted human teeth is the only known way to teach students the wide biological variation in human root canal anatomy. 17 As such, natural teeth are embedded in plaster, 35 gelatin, 36 alginate, 15,[37][38][39][40] or material combinations and in models manufactured individually 19,41 for endodontic education and exercise purposes.…”