Accuracy and reliability of working length determination by gold reciproc motor in reciprocating movement

Introduction The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy and reliability of the apex locator function of the Gold Reciproc Motor (VDW GmbH, Munich, Germany) during reciprocating movement. Methods Forty extracted incisors with mature apices were included in the study. The canal length was determined by introducing #10 file into the canal until it emerged at the apical foramen. The incisal edge of each tooth was adjusted to obtain 18 mm standard length and to produce a flat reference point. The teeth were embedded in Plexiglas tubes filled with alginate and measured by Root ZX (J. Morita Corp, Tokyo, Japan) and Bingo 1020 (Forum Engineering Technologies, Rishon Lezion, Israel) apex locators. The root canals were instrumented in a reciprocating mode using an R25 Reciproc file in the Gold Reciproc Motor until the green LEDs and orange LED were reached. According to the manufacturer, these LEDs represent the zone between the apical constriction and the apical foramen. Results No statistically significant differences were found between the length measurements of the 2 electronic apex locators and the third green LED, which is suggested by the manufacturers as the recommended working length. Conclusions With the limitation of this ex vivo study, the Gold Reciproc Motor's integrated electronic apex locator was found to be as reliable and accurate as the Root ZX and Bingo 1020 apex locators in terms of length control during root canal preparation in the reciprocation mode.