Ex-Vivo Evaluation of Electronic Apex Locator Accuracy in Primary Molars

Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of an apex locator for the measurement of canal length in primary molars with variable root resorption. Methods: One hundred and thirty-five extracted mandibular primary molars were allocated to 3 groups A, B, and C of 45 molars each according to the level of resorption; A: with no resorption, B: apical third resorption, and C: more than one third but less than half root resorption Following measuring root canal length visually using an endometer with a K-file, teeth were embedded in alginate and measured again using an electronic apex locator. The t-test was used to compare the measurements obtained in each group, and Pearson’s correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between actual length and electronic measurement. Results: The visual and the electronic measurements showed no statistically significant difference. The two measurements showed a significantly high correlation (0.968-0.996). Conclusions: The primary molars' root canal length determined by the apex locator was highly accurate in the various conditions of root resorption.