Comparison of Accuracy in Determining the Root Canal Working Length by Using Two Generations of Apex Locators - An In Vitro Study

The present in-vitro study aims to compare the accuracy of root canal working length determination between the third generation and fourth generation electronic apex locators. Fifty extracted single-rooted single canal teeth were selected for the study, and a definite coronal plane was prepared. Actual working length (AL) was measured using a stereomicroscope under 8X magnification. Electronic working length measurements were recorded using Root ZX (EL1) and Elements Diagnostic Unit (EL2) apex locators. One-way ANOVA test was carried out to analyse the data among the experimental groups. The results of the one-way ANOVA test showed that difference in the working length determined by either apex locators (EL1 and EL2) and actual length determined under a stereomicroscope (AL) was statistically not significant. The independent 't' test comparing between groups EL1 and AL; and EL2 and AL showed that working length determined by either of the apex locators (EL1 and EL2) and actual length determined under a stereomicroscope (AL) was statistically not significant. In this in vitro study, the Root ZX and Elements Diagnostic Unit apex locators are equally accurate for determination of working length when compared to actual working length.