Evaluation of a new electronic apex locator: analysis about clarifying

Objectives: The purpose of this study was verify the efficacy of a new electronic apex locator. Methods: Were selected 40 extracted human teeth re-hydrated with physiologic serum and kept to the oven 37ºC during 07 days. After the proper access to the canals, the measurements were done introducing a K-file nº10 to be visualized with a magnifying glass in the apical foramen limit and then proven using an x-ray. The measures were logged and the teeth kept into a recipient with the roots submerged in gel to maintain the hydration. The canals were filled out with a sodium hypochlorite solution and again measured, but at this time with the new electronic apex locator (SybronEndo®). With the measures recorded once again, the apparel was uncoupled and the file fastened to the tooth with self-cure acrylic resin in the working length measurement. The information provided by the locator were compared to that one obtained by the conventional manual method, tabulated and analyzed by the EPI INFO. Those teeth were clarified to corroborate the data. Results: The results showed that there were not significant statistic differences among the methods applied. The results obtained after the measurements using the conventional method and with the electronic apex locator coincided in 52,5% of the cases, in 42,5% of the cases the difference was of - 0,5 mm and in 5% it was -0,2 mm. The clarifying proved that the measures coincided in 96,66% of the cases, increasing the reliability of the apex locator. Conclusion: The authors concluded that the electronic apex locator in subject was shown efficient when compared to the conventional method of working length determination.