Evaluation of two compact electronic apex locators in the presence of different endodontic solutions

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of two compact electronic apex locators, the Root ZX mini and the Mini Apex Locator, in the presence of different endodontic solutions and to compare their performance to the Root ZX electronic apex locator. The sample consisted of 60 extracted single-rooted human teeth. Manufacturers’ recommendations were followed to operate each electronic apex locator to determine electronic length in the presence of 5.25% Sodium Hypochlorite, 2.625% Sodium Hypochlorite, 1.0% Sodium Hypochlorite, 0.9% NaCl, 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 Epinephrine, and 2% Chlorhexidine. The difference between the electronic (EL) and actual length (AL) was calculated. In addition, EL measurements were classified into three categories: “correct” (AL ± 0.5 mm), “long” (>0.5 mm from AL), “short” (<−0.5 mm from AL). There were no statistically significant differences in the accuracy of each of the three apex locators in the presence of the six endodontic solutions used in this study. The Root ZX mini and the Mini Apex Locator had similar accuracy to the Root ZX in the presence of each endodontic solution. It is concluded that the Root ZX mini and Mini Apex Locator have similar accuracy to the Root ZX and that the function of the three apex locators was not affected by the type of endodontic solution used.