Ex vivo evaluation of the accuracy of two electronic apex locators during root canal length determination in primary teeth

AIM: To evaluate ex vivo the accuracy of two electronic apex locators during root canal length determination in primary incisor and molar teeth with different stages of physiological root resorption. METHODOLOGY: One calibrated examiner determined the root canal length in 17 primary incisors and 16 primary molars (total of 57 root canals) with different stages of root resorption based on the actual canal length and using two electronic apex locators. Root canal length was measured both visually, with the placement of a K-file 1 mm short of the apical foramen or the apical resorption bevel, and electronically using two electronic apex locators (Root ZX II--J. Morita Corp. and Mini Apex Locator--SybronEndo) according to the manufacturers' instructions. Data were analysed statistically using the intraclass correlation (ICC) test. RESULTS: Comparison of the actual root canal length and the electronic root canal length measurements revealed high correlation (ICC = 0.99), regardless of the tooth type (single-rooted and multi-rooted teeth) or the presence/absence of physiological root resorption. CONCLUSIONS: Root ZX II and Mini Apex Locator proved useful and accurate for apex foramen location during root canal length measurement in primary incisors and molars.