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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Caries | Research

Relationship between the difference in electric pulp test values and the diagnostic type of pulpitis

Authors: Huachao Sui, Yangyang Lv, Mo Xiao, Liwen Zhou, Feng Qiao, Jinxin Zheng, Cuicui Sun, Jieni Fu, Yufan Chen, Yimeng Liu, Jie Zhou, Ligeng Wu

Published in: BMC Oral Health | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

According to the diagnosis criteria of the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), sensitive responses to cold and/or heat tests of suspected teeth compared with those of control teeth can be used for the diagnosis of pulpitis, but the role of electric pulp test (EPT) is not mentioned. It is believed that EPT has some limitations in determining the vitality of the pulp. The aim of this study was to explore the association between the difference in EPT values and the differential diagnoses of reversible pulpitis (RP) and symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIRP) caused by dental caries.

Methods

A total of 203 cases with pulpitis caused by dental caries were included. A diagnosis of pulpitis was made on the basis of the diagnostic criteria of AAE. Patient demographic and clinical examination data were collected. The EPT values of the suspected teeth and control teeth were measured, and the differences between them were calculated. The correlation between the difference in the EPT values and diagnosis of pulpitis was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

In the 203 cases (78 males and 125 females; 115 cases of RP, 88 cases of SIRP; 9 anterior teeth, 59 premolars, and 135 molars), the mean patient age was 34.04 ± 13.02 (standard deviation) years. The unadjusted (crude) model, model 1 (adjusted for age), model 2 (adjusted for age and sex), and model 3 (adjusted for age, sex, and tooth type) were established for the statistical analyses. In model 3 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.025; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.002–1.050; P = 0.035], the difference in EPT values between RP and SIRP was statistically significant. However, the areas under the curve of predictive probability of the crude model, model 1, model 2, and model 3 were 0.565, 0.570, 0.585, and 0.617, respectively, showing that the model accuracy was low. The P-value for the trend in differences between the EPT values as a categorical variable showed that the differences in the EPT values, comparing RP and SIRP, were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Based on the present data, the difference in EPT values was not sufficient to differentiate RP from SIRP.

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Title: Relationship between the difference in electric pulp test values and the diagnostic type of pulpitis
Authors: Huachao Sui
Yangyang Lv
Mo Xiao
Liwen Zhou
Feng Qiao
Jinxin Zheng
Cuicui Sun
Jieni Fu
Yufan Chen
Yimeng Liu
Jie Zhou
Ligeng Wu
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Caries
Published in: BMC Oral Health / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6831
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-021-01696-9

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Relationship between the difference in electric pulp test values and the diagnostic type of pulpitis

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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