Accuracy of electronic apex locators in the determination of the working length in teeth with natural apical root resorption in the presence of different irrigation solutions.

BACKGROUND

Root resorption (RR) is usually a consequence of dental trauma, pulpal infection, primary occlusal pressure, or orthodontic tooth movement, leading to the loss of anatomical root formation. As a result of apical RR, the apical constriction is destroyed, and the determination of the working length (WL) may become difficult.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of 4 different electronic apex locators (EALs) - ProPex® II, Propex Pixi®, DentaPort ZX, and DTE DPEX V - in the determination of WL in teeth with natural apical RR in the presence of different irrigation solutions (ISs).

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A total of 36 teeth with natural apical RR were included in the study. The actual length (AL) was determined under a stereomicroscope at ×15 magnification. Afterward, the electronic length (EL) was established by using 4 different EALs in the presence of different ISs. The ISs used in the measurements were freshly prepared, and 6 groups were organized based on the solution used. The control group was marked as group 1. For groups 2-6, 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2.5% NaOCl, saline, 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were used, respectively. After each measurement, the roots were washed with 5 mL of distilled water and dried with paper points before the same teeth were used in the subsequent group. The absolute length was subtracted from EL for each tooth to calculate the difference. The data was analyzed statistically.

RESULTS

For each device, there were no significant differences in the success rates between the ISs used. In group 1, there were no significant differences among the 4 EALs. In group 2, DentaPort ZX was significantly more successful than DTE DPEX V (p = 0.037). There were no significant differences among EALs in groups 3-6.

CONCLUSIONS

The difference between DentaPort ZX and DTE DPEX V was statistically significant in group 2 (1% NaOCl).