Electrode Placing Sites affect Pulp Vitality Test of Human Incisors and Premolars

Objective: To investigate electric pulp test thresholds at different sites on healthy incisors and premolars and determine appropriate test sites. Methods: Overall, 47 volunteers aged 20 to 30 years were recruited, and 163 incisors and 140 premolars were tested at several sites with an Electric Pulp Tester. One-way analysis of variance and a Tukey test were used to analyse the threshold values among different tooth types and sites. Results: The lowest threshold value for incisors was identified on the incisal edge. The difference of threshold on the incisal edge and other sites was statistically significant in mandibular incisors. For maxillary premolars and the mandibular second premolar, the lowest response was obtained with the tester tip on the lingual slope of the buccal cusp. For the mandibular first premolar, the response at the lingual slope of the buccal cusp, as the second lowest, was slightly higher than that at the buccal cusp. Conclusion: The incisal edge for incisors and the lingual slope of the buccal cusp for premolars was favoured as the optimal sites for electric pulp test. Keywords: appropriate site, electric pulp test, incisor, premolar, pulp vitality