Relationship between the difference in electric pulp test values and the diagnostic type of pulpitis

Abstract

Background According to the diagnosis criteria of the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), sensitive responses to cold and/or heat tests of suspected teeth compared with those of control teeth can be used for the diagnosis of pulpitis, but the role of electric pulp test (EPT) is not mentioned. It is believed that EPT has some limitations in determining the vitality of the pulp. The aim of this study was to explore the association between the difference in EPT values and the differential diagnoses of reversible pulpitis (RP) and symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIRP) caused by dental caries. Methods A total of 203 cases with pulpitis caused by dental caries were included. A diagnosis of pulpitis was made on the basis of the diagnostic criteria of AAE. Patient demographic and clinical examination data were collected. The EPT values of the suspected teeth and control teeth were measured, and the differences between them were calculated. The correlation between the difference in the EPT values and diagnosis of pulpitis was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results In the 203 cases (78 males and 125 females; 115 cases of RP, 88 cases of SIRP; 9 anterior teeth, 59 premolars, and 135 molars), the mean patient age was 34.04 ± 13.02 (standard deviation) years. The unadjusted (crude) model, model 1 (adjusted for age), model 2 (adjusted for age and sex), and model 3 (adjusted for age, sex, and tooth type) were established for the statistical analyses. In model 3 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.025; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.002–1.050; P = 0.035], the difference in EPT values between RP and SIRP was statistically significant. However, the areas under the curve of predictive probability of the crude model, model 1, model 2, and model 3 were 0.565, 0.570, 0.585, and 0.617, respectively, showing that the model accuracy was low. The P-value for the trend in differences between the EPT values as a categorical variable showed that the differences in the EPT values, comparing RP and SIRP, were not statistically significant. Conclusions Based on the present data, the difference in EPT values was not sufficient to differentiate RP from SIRP.

Correlation between pulp sensibility and magnetic resonance signal intensity following regenerative endodontic procedures in mature necrotic teeth- a retrospective cohort study

“…In the present study, we made some modifications to Nageh et al’s [ 11 ]methodology by dividing the entire positive response (from 0 to 39) into immediate positive response (0–3 = score 0) and delayed positive response (4–39 = score 1) for better documentation. Previous studies have also attempted to use differences in EPT values to categorize different pulpitis diagnoses [ 40 ].…”

Local Anesthesia Onset and Pain Perception in Hemophilic and Thalassemic Conditions

“…An electric pulp tester (EPT) probe placed on the sound coronal third of the labial surface recorded the patient's "tingling" sensation. Cold testing with Endo ice (Miracold Plus, Heger Werken, Duisburg, Germany) involved placing a large cotton pellet on the buccal surface of the tooth for 15 s or until the patient responded [23]. The patient response to both tests was recorded.…”

Nødbehandling

“…Kuldetest kan stadig vaere et pålideligt og relevant diagnostisk hjaelpemiddel på taender med fuldkroner, isaer hvis taenderne har symptomgivende pulpitis (9). I den forbindelse er det for nylig blevet påvist, at elektrisk pulpatest ikke kan skelne mellem reversibel og irreversibel pulpitis (10). Man kan overveje en mekanisk test som fx boring med et lille bor ved høj hastighed uden bedøvelse, hvis man har mistanke om nekrose i en tand med fuldkrone.…”