The purpose of this study was to determine the range of threshold responses of healthy dental pulps and test the reproducibility of the electric pulp test (EPT). Forty-nine dental students participated in the study. Sound teeth in both arches, except third molars, were included. The teeth were isolated using cotton rolls and dried with compressed air, and the threshold responses were recorded. Participants stopped the stimulus increase by pressing the switch at the first sensation of discomfort. The measurements were repeated after 30 days. The obtained data were analysed using SPSS® 16.0. The mean thresholds for the maxillary incisors, canines, premolars and molars were 10.77, 21.07, 21.88 and 34.07 μA, and for mandibular incisors, canines, premolars and molars 9.81, 18.7, 19.24 and 30.1 μA respectively. The differences between the two measurements were statistically significant for teeth 32, 31, 41 and 42. The EPT was shown to be reproducible for all the teeth tested except mandibular incisors.
Keywords: dental pulp; electric pulp test; pulp sensibility; threshold response.
© 2017 Australian Society of Endodontology Inc.