An in vivo study to evaluate the clinical accuracy of Root Zx apex locator in vital and necrotic teeth

Abstract EN

Background: Accurate working length determination is a very important aspect of root canal therapy.

There have been many methods developed to estimate the length of a canal.

One of the most accurate methods of determining the length of a canal is the use of an electronic apex locating device.

Materials and Methods: In this in vivo study twenty lower single rooted teeth were used, group A which involved ten vital teeth (extracted for orthodontic treatment) and group B which involved also ten non-vital teeth .The two groups were tested by the use of the Root Zc apex locator to estimate the working length.

Results: From the data obtained there was no difference in the clinical efficiency of the electronic apex locator in estimating the working length whether the tooth was vital or not.

Conclusion: The Root Zx apex locator was extremely accurate in determining the canal length when used in vital and non-vital teeth.

Keywords: Electronic apex locators, Root Zx apex locator.

(J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2008; 20(2):50-52)