Accuracy in Detection of Apical Patency Using Different 5th Generation Electronic Apex Locators: An In-Vitro Study

Accuracy in Detection of Apical Patency Using Different 5th Generation Electronic Apex Locators: An In-Vitro Study - Aim: Among various techniques available, to determine the working length of the root canal, electronic apex locators help in overcoming the technical limitation of complex root canal anatomy and determining the apical constriction. The aim of this study was to analyse the importance of apical patency and its influence on the accuracy of 3 apex locators. Materials and Methods: Sixty intact extracted maxillary molars were collected and were divided into 3 groups(n = 20): Group 1 Propex II (Dentsply Sirona), Group 2 Propex Pixi (Dentsply Sirona) and Group 3 Woodpecker V (Woodpecker). Readings of the 3 apex locators were then compared with the actual microscopic working length.Data were statistically analyzed. Results: After using Chi – Square test, Propex II showed statistically significant difference in determination of apical patency followed by Propex Pixi and Woodpecker V. Conclusion: Foraminal patency could be considered as a prerequisite for a reliable working length determination with apex locators, all the test groups exhibited statistically significant differences, i.ePropex II> Propex Pixi > Woodpecker V. Keywords: Apex locator, Apical Patency, Maxillary Molar