engleski

Human tooth pulp electrical sensitivity threshold

Aim Electric pulp testing is a common pulp sensitivity testing method. Pulp testers that use voltage impulses often display inconsistent results (due to dependence on the tooth resistance) in arbitrary units making them incomparable. Variable current impulse with constant voltage measurement is insensitive to the tooth resistance and it is possible to determine the threshold value of the pulp sensitivity in microamperes. The aim of this research was to determine the sensitivity threshold of healthy human pulps in microamperes using a VitaliScan vs-02 monopolar device which operates with square current impulses. Methodology Subjects were 4th year dental students (N=49, females=32 ; males=17, average age=23, 8 years). Third molars were excluded from the study. Teeth were insulated using cotton rolls, dried with compressed air for 5 seconds and measurement was performed using VitaliScan vs-02 device with conducting gel (TENS conductive gel) coated stainless steel probe on the vestibular tooth surface. Three measurements were performed on each tooth with 1 second pause between measurements. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 16.0 by means of descriptive and nonparametric statistics. Results Average thresholds in microamperes for teeth were as follows: maxilla=20, 81±0, 96 (molars=31, 33±1, 92 ; premolars=20, 68±1, 33 ; canines=20, 64±1, 12 ; incisors=10, 61±0, 52) ; mandible=17, 94±0, 89 (molars=25, 91±2, 03 ; premolars=18, 08±1, 03 ; canines=18, 7±0, 98 ; incisors=9, 05±0, 79). There were no significant differences between genders. No significant differences between measurements on the same tooth were observed. Conclusions Results indicate that pulpal threshold measurement using variable current impulses and constant voltage could be used as an indicator of pulp vitality. Further research of the electrical sensitivity threshold of pathologically changed pulps is indicated.

dental pulp; electrical pulp testing; vitality

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