Accuracy of two electronic apex locators in locating root perforations in curved canals in dry and wet conditions: A comparative in vitro study

The aim of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of iPex and Vdw gold apex locators in detecting simulated root perforations in curved canals in the presence of 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 2% chlorhexidine (CHX).

In this comparative in vitro study Twenty mandibular molars with curved mesial roots were selected and perforation was made in the danger zone 4 mm from the furcation area. The actual length of the perforation site was measured using stereomicroscope software using a #15 K file, following which the teeth were embedded in alginate molds. The perforation site was electronically measured using two apex locators, iPex and Vdw gold in dry condition and in the presence of 3% NaOCl and 2% CHX. The values obtained were compared using the Friedman and Wilcoxon signed‑rank test with level of statistical significance set at P ≤ 0.05.

In dry condition, Vdw gold showed near accurate values, i.e., 0.25 mm from the manual value whereas iPex showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) of 0.76 mm from the manual value. In the presence of 3% NaOCl, both the apex locators showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) from the manual value with iPex showing a difference of 0.70 mm and Vdw gold showing a difference of 0.74 mm. The most accurate values were determined by both the apex locators in the presence of 2% CHX with iPex showing a deviation of 0.13 mm and Vdw gold showing a deviation of 0.39 mm from the manual.

In dry condition, Vdw group showed better results than iPex in determining the length of the root perforation. In wet condition, in the presence of 2% CHX, both the apex locators accurately measured the perforation site, whereas in the presence of 3% NaOCl, both the apex locators showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) from the manual value in detecting the root perforation.