Evaluation of the Effect of Different Irrigation Solutions on Electronic Apex Locator Working Length Measurement

Beyhan Başkan; Esra Balkanlıoğlu; Sezgin Çakmak

doi:10.7126/cumudj.1789719

EN TR

Evaluation of the Effect of Different Irrigation Solutions on Electronic Apex Locator Working Length Measurement

Abstract

Objectives: This in vitro study aims to evaluate the accuracy of root canal working length measurements made by the Raypex 6 electronic apex locator in the presence of QMix, 40% citric acid, 5.25% NaOCl, 17% EDTA, and 2% CHX irrigation solutions, in comparison to the actual working length (AWL). Materials and Methods: Eighty caries-free mandibular premolars were used in the study. The AWL for each tooth was determined under a microscope with a size 10/.02 K-type file. The teeth were placed in a simulated oral environment apparatus, and measurements were taken with the Raypex 6 using five different irrigation solutions. After the application of each solution, the canal was irrigated with 0.9% saline and dried with paper points. The measurements were compared using repeated measures ANOVA and the Bonferroni post-hoc test (p<0.05). Results: A significant difference was found between the electronic apex locator (EAL) measurements obtained in the presence of irrigation solutions in the root canals and the AWL (p<0.001). Post-hoc comparisons revealed that the EAL measurements in the presence of QMix, citric acid, NaOCl, and EDTA irrigation solutions were statistically shorter than the AWL (p<0.001). In contrast, no significant difference was detected between the EAL measurements in the presence of the CHX irrigation solution and the AWL (p=0.996). Conclusions: Irrigation solutions with potentially higher conductivity (QMix, citric acid, NaOCl, EDTA) led to the perception of a shorter working length with the Raypex 6, whereas CHX, which has a lower conductivity, yielded results closer to the actual working length. Clinicians should be mindful of the selected irrigation solution when interpreting EAL measurements, especially when using highly conductive solutions, to avoid determining a short working length.

Keywords

Farklı İrrigasyon Solüsyonlarının Elektronik Apeks Bulucunun Çalışma Boyu Ölçümüne Etkisinin Değerlendirilmesi

Öz

Amaç: Bu in vitro çalışmanın amacı, QMix, %40 sitrik asit, %5.25 NaOCl, %17 EDTA ve %2 CHX irrigasyon solüsyonlarının varlığında, Raypex 6 elektronik apeks bulucu ile yapılan kök kanalı çalışma boyu ölçümlerinin doğruluğunu, gerçek çalışma boyu (GÇB) ile karşılaştırarak değerlendirmektir. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmada seksen adet çürüksüz mandibular premolar diş kullanıldı. Her bir diş için GÇB, bir mikroskop altında 10/.02 numara K-tipi eğe ile belirlendi. Dişler simüle oral ortam düzeneğine yerleştirildi ve Raypex 6 ile beş farklı irrigasyon solüsyonu kullanılarak ölçümler alındı. Her bir solüsyon uygulamasından sonra kanal, %0.9 salin ile yıkandı ve kağıt konlar ile kurulandı. Ölçümler, tekrarlayan ölçümler ANOVA ve Bonferroni post-hoc testi (p<0.05) kullanılarak karşılaştırıldı. Bulgular: Kök kanallarında irrigasyon solüsyonları varlığında elde edilen elektronik apeks bulucu (EAB) ölçümleri ile GÇB arasında anlamlı bir fark bulundu (p<0.001). Post-hoc karşılaştırmalar, QMix, sitrik asit, NaOCl ve EDTA irrigasyon solüsyonları varlığındaki EAB ölçümlerinin istatistiksel olarak GÇB'den daha kısa olduğunu ortaya koydu (p<0.001). Buna karşılık, CHX irrigasyon solüsyonu varlığında alınan EAB ölçümleri ile GÇB arasında anlamlı bir fark tespit edilmedi (p=0.996). Sonuç: Potansiyel olarak daha yüksek iletkenliğe sahip irrigasyon solüsyonlarının (QMix, sitrik asit, NaOCl, EDTA) Raypex 6 ile daha kısa bir çalışma boyu algılanmasına yol açtığı; daha düşük iletkenliğe sahip olan CHX'in ise gerçek çalışma boyuna daha yakın sonuçlar verdiği görüldü. Klinisyenler, özellikle yüksek iletkenliğe sahip solüsyonlar kullanırken, kısa bir çalışma boyu belirlemekten kaçınmak için EAB ölçümlerini yorumlarken seçilen irrigasyon solüsyonunun etkisini göz önünde bulundurmalıdır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Ethical Statement

The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Medical Research Ethics Committee (Date: 21.04.2025, Session No: 2025/14, Decision No: 07).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Endodontics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Beyhan Başkan ^*
0000-0002-2463-4011
Türkiye

Esra Balkanlıoğlu
0009-0009-0903-7129
Türkiye

Sezgin Çakmak
0009-0004-2943-4328
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 27, 2026

Submission Date

September 24, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 28, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 29 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7126/cumudj.1789719

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA88NJ69CL

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Başkan B, Balkanlıoğlu E, Çakmak S (March 1, 2026) Evaluation of the Effect of Different Irrigation Solutions on Electronic Apex Locator Working Length Measurement. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal 29 1 91–98.