Electric Pulp Vitality Testers

Abstract

Output of three commercially available electric pulp testers were compared. Clinical threshold settings of the instruments could not be correlated to peak voltage, root mean square voltage, or power outputs determined by use of a simulated load impedance. A mathematical expression to establish a relation between threshold settings and output information is suggested.

A laboratory study of four electric pulp testers

“…On the lowest setting a full sweep of the scale (0 to 80) takes 25 seconds whilst at the highest setting it only takes 5 seconds. Kleier et al (1982) found that patients complained significantly more often that the stimulus was painful when this higher setting was used, and it confirms the view that a faster rise in output voltage is more unpleasant than a slower rise (Civjan et al 1973). The negative D.C. offset of 2.4 V found with the Analytic Technology tester used in this study may be a design weakness, but could possibly be a method of preconditioning the pulpal nerves.…”

“…Electric pulp testers have been used as an aid in the diagnosis of pulp conditions for many years (Millard 1973). Various designs of pulp testers have been described and some have been studied in detail (Heitanen & Rantanen 1973, Civjan et al 1973, Matthews & Searle 1974, Kleier et al 1982. Recently two new pulp testers have become available and these are claimed to offer both improved reproducibility and reduced patient discomfort.…”

Electric pulp testing: a review

“…These are reported to reduce the voltages required to stimulate nerve response in the pulp, and reduce the possibility of stimulating the nerves in the periodontium (Bjorn 1946). Various designs of pulp testers have been described, some of them in great detail (Civjan et al 1973, Hietanen & Rantanen 1973, 1976, Grayson 1977, Stark et al 1977, Kleier et al 1982, Kitamura et al 1983, Cooley et al 1984, Robinson 1987. Testers produce different electric impulses ).…”

The assessment of pulpal vitality

“…The wave form of the Analytic Technology pulp tester' has an output in the form of bursts of ten pulses followed by a space; this is reported to minimize the patient's discomfort. The rate of application of stimuli can be controlled, and Civjan et al (1973) found that the slower the increase in output voltage, the less discomfort was experienced by patients. concluded that the Analytic Technology pulp tester was easy to use with a wide range of automatic facilities, including an automatic return to zero, and that it was efficient.…”