Abstract
Objective: To evaluate and compare the precision of two electronic
apex locators (C-Root I Apex locator III, Guangdong, China & AFA
Apex Finder 7005, Orange, USA) of dual and multi-frequency
dependent impedance in dry and wet condition.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-five straight single-rooted teeth with
mature apices were used. A flat coronal reference point prepared
followed by access preparation and canal widening with Gates Glidden
drill. A size 15 K-file introduced inside the canal so that the actual
canal length to the major foramen was determined visually under
illuminated magnified lens (x5). Teeth were embedded in alginate
mold then electronic measurements with two locators of different
impedance frequency were made to the apex reading in dry canal
condition and with presence of physiologic saline solution using same
file. Data was analyzed with ANOVA and T-test ( =.05).
Results: Comparison of apex locators reading show no significant
difference between the locators at both conditions of the canal
(p>0.05). No significant differences were found between the actual
working length and electronic length for either apex locators (p>0.05).
In contrary both EALs measurements show significantly larger
absolute difference in presence of solution than value in dry condition
(p<0.05).
Conclusion: Both apex locators were reliable in
determining the electronic working length of the teeth.