Comparison of the accuracy of three different electronic apex locators used in root canals enlarged in different apical diameters

Aim: Our study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of three different apex locators in enlarged teeth of different apical diameters by using files compatible and incompatible with the apical diameter. Materials and Methods: 60 mandibular premolars were used in this study. Actual canal length was determined with a stereo microscope. Teeth were divided into three different groups: The teeth in the G25, G40 and G50 groups were enlarged in actual canal length with apical diameters of 0,25, 0,40, and 0,50 mm, respectively, by hand files and Reciproc R25, R40 and R50. File number 15 in each group and hand files numbered 25, 40 and 50 compatible with the apical diameter of the teeth in the group were used for electronic measurements. An alginate model was created with enlarged teeth. Using the Root Zx Mini, Raypex 6, Propex Pixi electronic apex locators, the electronic working length was determined for each tooth. Results: If the electronic measurement results were measured shorter than 0,5 mm or longer than 0,05 mm than the actual length, it was considered unsuccessful, and successful in other conditions. One-way analysis of variance was used to evaluate the accuracy of the electronic apex locator with different files in the same apical diameter. The Chi-square exact test was used to evaluate the effect of using files with different apical diameters incompatible with the apical diameter on accuracy. The level of significance was evaluated as 0,05. In all groups, the measured length is closer to the actual canal length when using files number 25, 40, 50 compatible with the apical diameter. However, there is no significant difference between the measurements made with file number 15 (p> 0,05). According to the electronic measurement results made with file number 15 in teeth with 0,25, 0,40 and 0,50 apical diameters, the use of a file that is incompatible with the apical diameter does not have a significant effect on accuracy (p> 0,05). Conclusion: The use of a file compatible with the apical diameter of the teeth enables measurement close to the real canal length. The accuracy of the electronic apex locator is not affected by the file size in electronic measurements made with a file smaller than the apical diameter in teeth with an apical diameter up to 0,50 mm.