J Korean Acad Conserv Dent.  2004 May;29(3):226-232. 10.5395/JKACD.2004.29.3.226.

Measurement of the excessive stimulus time after the sensory threshold level during electric pulp testing

• Nam KC
• Ahn SH
• Kim SC
• Kim DW
• Lee SJ

• KMID: 1987098
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5395/JKACD.2004.29.3.226

Abstract

Use of electric pulp testing elicits painful response in vital teeth. In this study, we examined the excessive time from pain feeling to stimulation disconnection in clinical situation. D626D (Parkell Inc., USA.) scan type electric pulp tester was used in total of 23 young healthy individuals. Each of the right central incisors and first premolars were used as testing teeth. Stimulation disconnection was achieved by EMG in anterior belly of digastric muscle, finger span, and voice and the excessive stimulation time over the sensory threshold was recorded. As a result, we found that the short responses before the stimulation disconnection appeared following order; EMG, finger span, and voice. The EMG disconnection is suggested to be used to reduce the excessive stimulus time in electric pulp testing.

Keyword

Tooth; Pulp test; Electric pulp tester; Pulp vitality; Pain response; EMG (electromyograph); Stimulation time

MeSH Terms

Bicuspid
Fingers
Incisor
Sensory Thresholds*
Tooth
Voice

Figure

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  Figure 1 Conventional pulp vitality testing using electric pulp tester.

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  Figure 2 Electrode position to measure the digastric muscle EMG.

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  Figure 3 Flexible band sensor for measuring the finger span.

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  Figure 4 Measurement of pain responses during electric pulp testing.

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  Figure 5 Record of electric pulp testing level, EMG, finger span, and voice during electric pulp testing (① : time of electric pulp testing, ②, ③, ④ time delay between showing EMG, finger span, and voice response and stimulation stop, respectively).

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  Figure 6 Time delay between the examiner and examinee (central incisor, EMG1)

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  Figure 7 Time delay between the examiner and examinee (premolar, EMG1)

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  Figure 8 Time delay between the examiner and examinee (central incisor, EMG2)

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  Figure 9 Time delay between the examiner and examinee (premolar, EMG2)

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