Evaluation of threshold response and appropriate electrode placement site for electric pulp testing in fluorosed anterior teeth: An in vivo study

Abstract

Background: Accurate diagnosis is key to success. Diagnosing the pulpal status in varied clinical
situations poses a challenge to the clinician. Electric pulp test (EPT) is one of the valuable attempts in
evaluating the sensibility of pulp tissue. The aim of this study was to find out and compare the threshold
levels and optimal electrode placement site for EPT in fluorosed and nonfluorosed anterior teeth.
Materials and Methodology: Eighty volunteers recruited for this study were divided into two
groups based on the incidence of dental fluorosis. Electric pulp testing was done on either of the
central incisors in fluorosed and nonfluorosed group. Four sites on each crown were tested 4 times
with digitest electric pulp tester, and the mean of the threshold responses was recorded. The data
were analyzed with SPSS, version 11. Means of variables from each location were compared using
one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test while the critical level of significance was set at P < 0.05.
Results: The mean and standard deviation of threshold levels in fluorosed teeth were greater
when compared to that of nonfluorosed teeth at all sites with incisal edge showing the least mean
threshold levels for both the groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: It was concluded that fluorosed teeth responded to high threshold levels, and incisal
edge was the optimal electrode placement site.
Key Words: Dental fluorosis, diagnosis, electric pulp test, electrode placement site, threshold
response