Accuracy comparison of different electronic apex locators used in working length determination by changing initial cleaning solutions

Aim: One of the biggest factors in the success of root canal treatment is the completion of endodontic treatment at the minor apical narrowness at the root tip. The detection of this area is provided by various methods. One of these is the use of an electronic apex locator. The aim of this study is the accuracy comparison of Root ZX Mini, Raypex 6, E-Pex Pro, Propex Pixi Electronic Apex Locators by changing initial cleaning solutions (NaOCl ve EDTA). Material and Method: 80 mandibular premolar teeth -having one root and one canal- which are extracted because of periodontal and orthodontic purposes are going to be used. Radiographs were obtained from mesio-distal and bucco-lingual angles from all teeth, and teeth with suspected external or internal root resorption and the presence of calcified canals were not included in the study. Teeth were stored in distilled water at room temperature until they were used in the study. The attachments on the teeth were removed using the periodontal cretuar. After the opening of the standard initial cavity, pulpal tissue will be removed by means of a nerve broach. The true canal lengths of the teeth were determined with a precision of 0.01 mm with a stereomicroscope at x5 magnification by placing a # 20 K type canal file into the root canal. The samples were then embedded in freshly mixed alginate blocks up to the cemento-enamel junction. The coronal 1/3 was pre-enlarged with the Protaper SX instrument. Electronic apex finders ( Root ZX Mini, Raypex 6, E-Pex Pro, Propex Pixi) specified on each tooth were used, measurements were made by changing the initial solutions (NaOCl and EDTA). Distilled water was used between 5.25% NaOCl and 17% EDTA to prevent chemical interactions that may occur. 3 measurements were made for each tooth and the average of these 3 measurements was taken as reference. Results: The data obtained in this study were analyzed with the SPSS (IBM V-21) statistical package program. There is no statistically significant difference between solutions in terms of measurement values and actual length values in each device (p> 0.05). Although there is no statistically significant, the deviation from the actual measurement was greater in EDTA solution than in NaOCl solution. Although there is no statistically significant, the deviation value from the actual measurement was found to be higher in the Root ZX mini device in NaOCl and EDTA solutions compared to all other devices. Conclusions: There is no statistically significant difference was observed between the initial irrigation solutions in terms of deviation from the actual measurement in all the devices we used.