Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, cilt.2025, sa.1, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
Background: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of electronic apex locators (EALs) during the retreatment procedure using organic gutta-percha solvents. Methods: The actual working length (AWL) was determined with a stereomicroscope on 72 single-rooted teeth selected for the study. After the obturation, the teeth were embedded in an alginate mold and divided into 3 groups (n = 24) based on the gutta-percha solvent used: eucalyptol, turpentine, and orange oil. Once the solvents were applied, the WL was measured using the Root ZX Mini and Woodpex III. Two-way ANOVA and Fisher's exact test were performed using SPSS with a 5% significance threshold. Results: There was no significant difference in the accuracy of the EALs among the solvent groups (p > 0.05). Root ZX Mini showed accuracies of 40%, 41.7%, and 80% within +/- 0.5 mm for eucalyptol, turpentine, and orange oil, respectively, while the corresponding values for Woodpex III were 30%, 41.7%, and 70%. No overestimation (deviation from AWL > 0.5 mm) was observed with either device when orange oil was used. Conclusion: Different types of EALs demonstrated acceptable determination of WL when using different gutta-percha solvents. The absence of overestimation in the orange oil group may affect clinical preferences.