Preflaring effects on the accuracy of three electronic apex locators

Authors

  • Renata Dornelles Morgental PUCRS
  • Fabiana Vieira Vier-Pelisser PUCRS
  • Simone Bonato Luisi UFRGS
  • Deborah Meirelles Cogo PUCRS
  • Patrícia Maria Poli Kopper UFRGS

Keywords:

Endodontics, root canal preparation, tooth apex

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the accuracy of three electronic apex locators (EALs) and evaluate the influence of cervical preflaring in them. Methods: The working length (WL) of thirty extracted human mandibular incisors was determined visually. All teeth were mounted in conducting medium and tested with: Novapex, Mini Apex Locator and Propex II. The electronic WL was determined before and after preflaring with LA Axxess burs. Differences between the electronic and visual WL were calculated and analyzed by Friedman and Wilcoxon tests. Radiographs were taken using the electronic WL of each EAL and the distance between the instrument tip and the radiographic apical vertex was measured. This value was compared to a reference or ideal value (1 mm) by one-sample t test. Results: The Novapex was the most accurate EAL before and after the preflaring procedure, which was confirmed by the radiographic analysis. All EALs tested increased their accuracy after preflaring, but no significant difference was noted for the Novapex. Conclusion: The Novapex was more accurate compared to the Mini Apex and Propex II. Preflaring procedure was advantageous for all EALs.

Author Biographies

Renata Dornelles Morgental, PUCRS

Dspecialista em Endodontia pela ABORS (2005-2007). OBS: enviei o artigo do meu trabalho de conclusão do curso para ser avaliado para publicação

Fabiana Vieira Vier-Pelisser, PUCRS

Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Simone Bonato Luisi, UFRGS

Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Deborah Meirelles Cogo, PUCRS

Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Patrícia Maria Poli Kopper, UFRGS

Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

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Published

2011-12-13

Issue

Vol. 26 No. 4 (2011)

Section

Original Article

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