Electronic apex locators

Success or failure of endodontic treatment depends, among other parameters, on an accurate determination of the working length. Electronic apex locators (EALs) are a routinely used procedure in endodontic practice; yet their accuracy has been reported to vary from 35% to 100%. The operating systems of the EALs (frequency or impedance quotient) and different investigative methodologies explain the higher accuracy obtained with the current generation of devices. It is difficult to draw conclusions on the basis of the results obtained with the new generation EALs because of research variables that can influence the results.