Electric Pulp Testing :

⚡️Electric Pulp Testing :

Is used for evaluation of condition of the pulp by electrical excitations of neural elements within the pulp. The pulp tester is an instrument which uses the gradations of electrical current to excite a response from the pulpal tissue. Pulp testers are available with cord which plug into electric outlets for power source . They can also be available as battery operated instrument . A positive response indicates the vitality of pulp. No response indicates nonvital pulp or pulpal necrosis.

🌸 Procedure:

1. Before starting the procedure, patient must be explained about the method. This will be helpful in reducing the anxiety of patient.

2. Isolation of the teeth to be tested is one of the essential steps to avoid any type of false positive response. This can be done by using 2” × 2” gauge piece. 

3. Apply an electrolyte on the tooth electrode and place it on the facial surface of tooth . Precaution should be taken to avoid it contacting adjacent gingival tissue or restorations; this will cause false positive response. 

4. One should note that there should be a complete circuit from electrode through the tooth, to the body of the patient and then back to the electrode. If gloves are not used, the circuit gets completed when clinician’s finger contact with electrode and patient’s cheeks. But with gloved hands, it can be done by placing patient’s finger on metal electrode handle or by clipping a ground attachment on to the patient’s lip. 

5. Once the circuit is complete, slowly increase the current and ask the patient to point out when the sensation occurs. 

6. Each tooth should be tested 2-3 times and the average reading is noted. If the vitality of a tooth is in question, the pulp tester should be used on the adjacent teeth and the contralateral tooth, as control.

🌸Disadvantages of Electric Pulp :

Testing Electric pulp testing should not be considered solely for determination of pulp vitality; it should be used in combination with other tests. Various conditions can give rise to wrong results and thus misdiagnosis. 

These conditions can be as follows: 1. In teeth with acute alveolar abscess, false positive response is seen because gaseous or liquefied products within the pulp canal can transmit electric current.

2. Electrode may contact gingival tissue thus giving the false positive response. 

3. In multirooted teeth, pulp may be vital in one or more root canals and necrosed in others, thus eliciting a false positive response. 

4. In certain conditions, it can give false negative response, for example: 

a. Recently traumatized tooth 

b. Recently erupted teeth with immature apex 

c. Patients with high pain threshold