Comparative evaluation of the accuracy of two electronic apex locators in detecting simulated incomplete vertical root fractures: An in vitro stereomicroscopic study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of two different electronic apex locators (EALs) in detecting simulated incomplete vertical root fractures (VRFs). Materials and Methods: Thirty freshly extracted single-rooted teeth were randomly divided into three groups of 10 teeth each labeled as Groups A, B, and C. Incomplete VRFs were simulated in the coronal, middle, and apical one-third of the roots for Groups A, B, and C, respectively. The teeth were embedded in alginate mold and fracture location was determined with Root ZX and Propex EALs for each sample and each group. To calculate the actual length (AL), each sample was sectioned at the upper level of the vertical fracture, and the length was measured by setting the stopper of the #10 K file under a stereomicroscope at ×30 magnification. The electronic lengths and ALs were compared using computer software, and the results were analyzed using SPSS 28.0 at a 95% confidence level. Results: No significant differences were seen in the accuracy of the two EALs when compared with ALs. Root ZX showed significantly longer measurements than ALs in groups B and C. Conclusion: The tested EALs showed low accuracy (20%) in detecting simulated incomplete VRFs with a tendency for longer measurements compared to ALs.