The response of caries‐free, unfilled teeth to electrical excitation: a comparison of two new pulp testers

Abstract

Summary. A total of 845 sound teeth in 54 patients were stimulated by one of two new electric pulp testers to obtain pain perception threshold values. The age range of the patients was 18 to 27 years and only incisor, canine and premolar teeth were studied. Both testers were found to produce threshold responses over a wide range of control settings in groups of similar teeth. From the results it is clear that there is no consistent threshold excitation value for teeth with intact‐uninflamed pulps.

Review of pulp sensibility tests. Part ΙΙ: electric pulp tests and test cavities

“…The response threshold may be affected by the thickness and homogeneity of the enamel and dentine, hence, it may be lowest in incisors, higher in premolars and greatest in molar teeth (Rubach & Mitchell 1965, Närhi 1985, Dummer & Tanner 1986, Bender et al 1989, Yoon & Yoon 1991. In accordance with this, tooth surface wear may have a significant effect in determining the response threshold (Ingle & Bakland 2002).…”

“…The response threshold may be affected by the thickness and homogeneity of the enamel and dentine, hence, it may be lowest in incisors, higher in premolars and greatest in molar teeth (Rubach & Mitchell 1965, Närhi 1985, Dummer & Tanner 1986, Bender et al. 1989, Yoon & Yoon 1991).…”

Assessment of pulp vitality: a review

“…The intensity of the electric stimulus is then increased steadily at a pre‐selected rate, and a note is made of the read‐out on the digital display when the patient acknowledges a warm or tingling sensation. The read‐out is not a quantitative measurement of pulp health, but simply provides evidence that the Aδ fibres are sufficiently healthy to function 44,45 .…”

Technical equipment for assessment of dental pulp status

“…The threshold for response may be influenced by the thickness of the enamel and dentine overlying the pulp (18, 32); therefore, it has been considered that the response threshold in healthy teeth may be lowest in incisors, slightly greater in premolars and greatest in molar teeth. However, in one study using two pulp testers, the threshold was lower in premolars than incisors (25). Signs of tooth surface loss may result in a lowering of the response threshold due to increased exposure of dentine (28).…”

“…The rate of voltage increase was also found to vary depending on the device used. A further investigation concluded that there was no consistency in threshold excitation values for healthy teeth (25). The readout is not a quantitative measurement of the health of the pulp, and therefore does not indicate to what extent the pulp is healthy/unhealthy; a response only implies that the Aδ fibers are sufficiently healthy to function.…”