Reliability of pulp-vitality testing in children: a review

The dental pulp is a fascinating tissue that has always attracted much attention within the dental profession. Pulp vitality testing is crucial in monitoring the state of health of the dental pulp and although pulp vitality is just a function of vascular health, traditional methods are based on stimulation of nerve fibres and demonstrate further limitations. However, these methods have been unreliable in children over the years. The recent advances in pulp vitality testing mean that the pulpal blood flow is assessed, which is a true indicator of pulp vitality. This review article discusses the advantages and limitations of traditional and recent methods of pulp vitality testing in children. This article is clinically relevant, as understanding of both the usefulness and limitations of pulp testing methods is essential for effective endodontic diagnosis and treatment planning in children. Keywords: children, neural stimulation, pulpal blood flow, reliability, vitality