Effect of apical foramen diameter on the accuracy of CBCT and Raypex-6 apex locator in measuring root canal length: a comparative in vitro study
- Autores: Yu Xin, Jiaqi Wang
- Localización: Quintessence International, ISSN-e 0033-6572, Nº. 4, 2026 (Ejemplar dedicado a: April 2026), págs. 288-296
- Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
Objectives: To compare the accuracy of the Raypex-6 apex locator and CBCT in measuring root canal length under different apical foramen diameters and root canal curvature angles.
Method and materials: Sixty in vitro root canal specimens were selected. The apical foramen was destroyed retrogradely, and the apical foramen diameter was adjusted artificially to range from 0.2 to 2.0 mm. A stereo-microscope was used to determine the actual root canal length. CBCT and the Raypex-6 apex locator were used to independently measure root canal length. The actual length was compared with that measured by CBCT and the Raypex-6 apex locator. A chi-square test was applied to the data, with measurement differences of 0.0 to 0.5 mm classified as accurate. Finally, differential analysis and correlation analysis were performed.
Results: CBCT accuracy did not differ significantly across apical foramen diameter or root canal curvature angle groups (P > .05). Raypex-6 apex locator accuracy also showed no significant differences among groups stratified by root canal curvature angle (P > .05). In contrast, Raypex-6 apex locator accuracy varied significantly with apical foramen diameter and area (P .001).
Conclusion: The accuracy of CBCT and Raypex-6 apex locator for measuring root canal length does not depend on the root canal curvature angle. However, when the apical foramen diameter exceeds 1.6 mm, or the apical foramen area exceeds 1.844 mm2, Raypex-6 apex locator accuracy decreases significantly. Therefore, CBCT is recommended for clinical root canal length measurement under these conditions.
