An in vivo comparative study of two apex locators.

Two different electronic apex locators were used before extraction to determine working length in 116 root canals belonging to 34 molars. The results were then compared with postextraction working length measurements. The determinations were made before and after eliminating the canal contents and drying the interior. The results showed that 84.8% and 79.3% of the Odometer, and 89.6% and 88.7% of the Endocater readings for dry and nondry canals, respectively, occurred within the two 0.5-mm intervals closest to the apical constriction.