Electric pulp testing (EPT) has been available for more than a century and used in dental practices worldwide. This article provides an overview of this diagnostic aid. The PubMed database from 1953 was used initially; the reference list for pulp testing featured 1071 articles, and for EPT identified 121 papers. A forward search was undertaken on these articles and using selected author names. Potentially relevant material was also sought in contemporary endodontic texts, while older textbooks on endodontics, operative dentistry and pain revealed historic information and primary research not found electronically. A short account of the innervation of the pulp is followed by an historic overview. Clinical considerations discussed include tooth isolation, glove wearing and tester electrode placement. Orthodontic treatment, pacemaker wearing and patient medications are considered. Research applications are also discussed. While EPT is valuable, no single pulp testing technique can reliably diagnose all pulp conditions. Careful collection of patient history regarding the problem tooth and prudent use of appropriate radiographs are also helpful. The shortcomings of electric tests, especially in the case of immature and concussed teeth, must be understood. The demeanour of the patient and the responses given by control teeth also require careful consideration.

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Salivary agglutinin plays a vital biological role modulating the protective effect in the oral cavity by interacting with a broad range of oral pathogens. Here, we describe the first characterization of the O-linked oligosaccharides of salivary agglutinin identified by negative ion liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The dominating structures were neutral or monosialylated core 1 (Galbeta1-3GalNAcalpha1-Ser/Thr) and core 2 (Galbeta1-3(GlcNAcbeta1-6)GalNAcalpha1-Ser/Thr) structures extended by fucosylated oligo-N-acetyllactosamine units. Oligosaccharides detected as [M-H](-) or [M-2H](2)(-) ions ranged from the disaccharide Galbeta1-3GalNAcol up to structures of almost 4000 Da, corresponding to core 1/2 structures with five N-acetyllactosamine units and 11 fucoses. Fucose was found either as terminal or internal blood group H structures in type 1 (Galbeta1-3GlcNAcbeta1-R), type 2 (Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-R) and type 3 (Galbeta1-3GalNAcalpha1-Ser/Thr) units, where the chains also could be fucosylated on GlcNAc yielding repeated Lewis a/b or Lewis x/y structures. Sialylation was located either at the non-reducing end of the N-acetyllactosamine chains as sialyl-Lewis x or as sialyl-T (NeuAcalpha2-3Galbeta1-3GalNAcalpha1-Ser/Thr) type structures with or without further extension of the C-6 branch of GalNAc with neutral fucosylated N-acetyllactosamine chains. The data indicated that sialylation, fucosylation and type 1 N-acetyllactosamine termination are important regulatory elements for controlling the oligosaccharide chain length. Furthermore, it was shown that these regulatory oligosaccharide elements could be utilized by the pathogen Helicobacter pylori to colonize the oral cavity, reside in dental plaque and serve as a reservoir for reinfection after successful clearance of H. pylori gastric infection.

Background/purpose Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is a highly alkaline solution which exhibits antimicrobial properties. However, it causes corrosion to endodontic rotary files. This study investigated the effect of NaOCl on the metal surface of five different unused endodontic rotary files in vitro . Materials and methods Two non-heat-treated nickel-titanium (NiTi) files, ProTaper, BioRace, and three heat-treated NiTi files, VortexBlue, TRUShape, and EdgeFile X7 files, were immersed in 4% NaOCl for 5, 10, and 20 min, and 1, 6 and 24 h. The corrosion susceptibility was evaluated by visual inspection and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results In the TRUShape group, the black particulate matter was mostly formed at the file's curvature and shaft. A large amount of precipitate accumulated in the EdgeFile group. The extent and prevalence of surface defects were found to be consistently higher in EdgeFile X7 instruments than in any other instruments. EdgeFile X7 and TRUShape files exhibited a greater corrosive tendency to NaOCl than BioRace, ProTaper, and VortexBlue not only under visual inspection, but also under SEM analysis after prolonged immersion (1, 6, 24 h) in 4% NaOCl. However, shorter immersion periods (5, 10, 20 min) showed little surface corrosion across all experimental groups. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, EdgeFile X7 and TRUShape files exhibit greater corrosive tendencies to NaOCl in vitro than BioRace, ProTaper, and VortexBlue files after prolonged immersion in 4% NaOCl. However, shorter immersion periods, which more closely approximate clinical conditions during single root canal therapy, may not show surface corrosion across all experimental groups.

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