Evaluation of variability of electric pulp response threshold in molars: an in vivo study

Abstract

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Electric pulp testers are widely used diagnostic tools in endodontics. Several factors can affect the result of electric pulp test like thickness of enamel and dentin, concentration of sensory fibres (A delta fibres), direction of dentinal tubules, pulp chamber size, neural elements etc. There are very few studies available in the literature which evaluated the variability of electric pulp response in molar teeth, which are more susceptible to caries. Hence aim of current study was proposed to evaluate response threshold in molars with respect to age and sex using electric pulp tester.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> Fifty volunteers aged between 20 to 69 years were recruited. The human subjects were divided into 5 groups of 10 each (5 males and 5 females) based on age. EPT was used with appropriate electrolyte as a conducting media. Seven sites on each molar crown were tested which includes mesiobuccal cusp tip, mesiobuccal cuspal surface, mesiobuccal gingival surface, centre of the supporting cusps (palatal of maxillary molar and buccal of mandibular molar), distobuccal cuspal surface, distobuccal gingival surface and centre of the guiding cusps (buccal of maxillary molar and lingual of mandibular molars). Statistical analysed using descriptive statistics and independent sample t test.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Mesiobuccal cusp tip showed lower response threshold values compared to other sites in all the groups. group 1 responded at lower threshold and group 5 at higher.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The optimum electrode placement site for electric pulp test in molars is the mesiobuccal cusp tip irrespective of age and sex.</p>