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Tuncer AK, Gerek M. J Endod 2014; 40: 38–41

The aim of this study was to compare post-operative pain following single-visit root canal treatment when working lengths were established using, 1) an electronic apex locator (Root ZX apex locator, 'the gold standard'), and 2) digital radiography. This study was carried out with 220 patients. In each patient, root canal therapy was performed on asymptomatic single-rooted teeth with vital pulps. There was no difference in post-operative pain, for up to two days following treatment, between these two methods of determining working length measurement. These results should be interpreted in the light that 1) teeth were excluded from the study (number of teeth not stated) if the root canal file extended beyond the apex in those teeth whose working lengths were established by radiography only, and 2) flurbiprofen was taken if the patients experienced pain (again, no data given). It is conceded that many factors could be associated with post-operative endodontic pain.