Apical accuracy of root canal fillings performed using the root ZX as the sole method of working length determination

ABSTRACT

This is an in vivo investigation that was undertaken to evaluate the apical accuracy of root canal fillings performed using the Root ZX apex locator as the sole method to determine the root canal length during root canal treatment and to compare them with conventional radiographic method. Twenty-eight root canals from ten orthodontic patients scheduled for bilateral extractions of their premolars were used in this study. One premolar received root canal therapy using the Root ZX to determine the working length without using active root canal treatment radiographs. The contra-lateral premolar was treated following routine root canal treatment procedures using multiple radiographs [pre-operative, working length, master apical file, master cone and final radiographs]. The teeth were then extracted, decalcified, cleared and the accuracy of the root filling length was evaluated. The results demonstrated that the apical accuracy of root canal fillings performed using the Root ZX only were satisfactory in 86% of the cases compared with 57% using the conventional method, however, the difference was not statistically significantly [P = 0.135]. It was concluded that both techniques produced root canal fillings with similar apical accuracy