Abstract
ObjectiveThe purpose of this investigation was to recognize pulp sensitivity changes in teeth receiving orthodontic treatment by means of an electric pulp tester (Vitality Scanner Model 2006; Kerr Corporation, Brea CA, USA).Materials and methodsAn electric stimulus response threshold of eight teeth in 22 patients was measured prior to positioning orthodontic attachments, immediately before ligation of a nickel titanium archwire, immediately after ligation of a stainless steel archwire and 9 to 15 months after having achieved the clinical purposes established with the nickel titanium archwires. The first measurement served as baseline.ResultsAll teeth responded to an electrical stimulus at all times. No statistical differences were observed between the response thresholds obtained at different treatment times. The mean response threshold of the second measurement showed a decreasing response threshold tendency when compared with those of the baseline measurement. The mean response threshold of the third measurement showed an increasing tendency when compared with those of the baseline measurement. The first maxillary incisor and canine showed the lowest decreasing response threshold after the second measurement and the highest increasing response threshold after the third measurement. Less noticeable, but similar decreasing and increasing response threshold tendencies were observed in all other teeth after the second and third measurements, respectively.ConclusionsThe results obtained in this investigation suggest that pulp sensitivity can be monitored during orthodontic treatment by means of an electric pulp tester.Clinical relevanceThe importance of monitoring the pulp status during orthodontic treatment.
Highlights
The dental profession is yet to establish a simple, objective, standardized, reproducible, noninvasive, and accurate method to diagnose diseases of the dental pulp
The results obtained in this investigation revealed differences of electric stimulus response threshold of the pulp caused during orthodontic treatment, between measurements made at baseline and immediately after the placement of nickel titanium and stainless steel archwires
Pulpal electric stimulus response threshold is influenced by the application of orthodontic forces
Summary
The dental profession is yet to establish a simple, objective, standardized, reproducible, noninvasive, and accurate method to diagnose diseases of the dental pulp. Electric pulp testing is a sensitivity pulp testing method based on stimulation of sensory nerves that relies on a given patient’s subjective reaction. Electric pulp testing, when properly utilized, is safe and can provide clinical information regarding the pulp health status [1,2,3]. Marshall [5] stated “As a means of diagnosis in obscure cases of the vitality or non-vitality of the dental pulp, I know of nothing so sure to demonstrate to a positive certainty these conditions as the electrical currents, both the galvanic and the faradic.
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