In vitro Evaluation of Three Models of Apex Locators in the Determination of Working Length

Fausto R. Victorino; Clovis M. Bramante; Ivaldo G. Moraes; Norberti Bernardineli; Roberto B. Garcia; Rodrigo R. Vivan; Ronald O. Zapata & Jarcio V. Baldi

Summary

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of three third-generation electronic apex locators to estimate the working length. Thirty extracted human mandibular incisors were explored with a K file # 15 followed by enlargement of the middle third with rotary instruments. The apical foramen was standardized at 300mm. The teeth were embedded in an alginate model. The electronic apex locators were divided as follows: Group I – Root ZX; Group II – RomiApex D-30; and Group III – NovApex. The results were analyzed by the ANOVA-Tukey tests, at a significance level of 5%. The results showed that no statistical differences could be found amongst the three evaluated apex locators. Based on these results, it was concluded that the use of third-generation electronic apex RomiApex D-30 and NovApex are as effective and safe as the Root ZX apex locator. KEY WORS: electronic apex locators, Root ZX, RomiApex, NovApex.

How to cite this article

VICTORINO, F. R.; BRAMANTE, C. M.; MORAES, I. G.; BERNARDINELI, N.; GARCIA, R. B.; VIVAN, R. R.; ZAPATA, R. O. & BALDE, J. V. In vitro evaluation of three models of apex locators in the determination of working length. Int. J. Odontostomat., 3(2):99-102, 2009.