Comparison of the accuracy of two apex locators in measuring root canal working length

Objective To compare the accuracy of PropexⅡ and Raypex 5 electronic apex locators in measuring root canal working length. Methods 80 teeth, with a total of 135 root canals, were selected to take the root canal therapy. The root canal working length was measured by PropexⅡ apex locator and Raypex 5 apex locator respectively, recorded the numbers, and then inserted the reamer into root canals according to the measured length, took x-ray dental film, observed the relationship between the root tip and tip of file using the cliniview 5.0 software. The accuracy rates of two apex locators were calculated basing on the results obtained. Results The accuracy rate of PropexⅡ apex locator in measuring root canal working length was 91.1%, while Raypex 5 apex locator was 92.6%, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P0.05). Conclusion Both PropexⅡ apex locator and Raypex 5 apex locator could measure the root canal working length accurately, therefore are worth clinical popularizing and application.