An in vitro evaluation of the accuracy of the Root ZX in the presence of various irrigants

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Root ZX in vi tro in the presence of a variety of endodontic irrigants, The in vitro mode l, described by Donnelly, consisted of refrigerated gelatin made with 0.9% sodium chloride instead of water. The following irrigants were tested: 2% l idocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, RC Prep, li quid EDTA, 3% hydrogen peroxide, and Peridex. A total of 30 extracted, sing le-rooted teeth were used, The experimental measurements in the presence of the various irrigants were compared with the actual canal lengths. The pre sent data indicate that the Root ZX electronic apex locator reliably measur ed canal lengths to within 0.31 mm and that there was virtually no differen ce in the length determination as a function of the seven irrigants used, T hese results strongly support the concept that the Root ZX is a useful, ver satile, and accurate device for the determination of canal lengths over a w ide range of irrigants commonly used in the practice of endodontics.