Resumo

NOBREGA, Waleska Fernanda Souto; DANTAS, Alzira Egina; ROSENDO, Rosana Araújo  e  SARMENTO, Tassia Cristina de Almeida Pinto. Comparative analysis of accuracy and reliability of two electronic apex locators: an in vitro study. RFO UPF [online]. 2016, vol.21, n.1, pp. 15-22. ISSN 1413-4012.

Introduction: Currently, there is a range of electronic locators available in the market and not all of these devices are accurate in determining working length, so requiring studies for accuracy assessment. Objective: To perform a comparative in vitro analysis of accuracy and reliability of two electronic apex locators in determining the length of patency. Materials and method: Thirty extracted human teeth were used in the study. The actual tooth length was measured with a K-file #10 until the appearance of its tip at foramen level, observed with a magnifying glass. For electronic measurement, an experimental base filled with floral foam and soaked in 0.9% sodium hypochlorite was used, in which teeth were supported. The measurements were performed with Novapex and Joypex 5 in triplicate by two calibrated examiners, both before and after preparation of the cervical third with Gates Glidden drills. Data were tabulated and analyzed through t-Student and one-way ANOVA tests. The locators were classified into Accurate, Acceptable, and Erroneous. Results: Odontometry averages of Novapex and Joypex before and after cervical preparation differed minimally from each other, with no statistically significant differences among them. The sum of accurate and acceptable scores for Novapex before and after cervical preparation was 79.9%, and for Joypex before preparation was 76.66% and after preparation was 96.32%, with no statistical differences among them. Conclusion: Both locators were considered capable of accurately and reliably determining root canal length.

Palavras-chave : Dental apex; Endodontics; Odontometry.