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Cited by 178Endodontics and Root Canal TreatmentsDental Trauma and TreatmentsDental Radiography and Imaging

Pulp sensibility and vitality tests for diagnosing pulpal health in permanent teeth: a critical review

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Alghaithy, R. A., Qualtrough, A. J. E.·2017·International Endodontic Journal
DOI 10.1111/iej.12611
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Abstract

The aim of this review was to critically appraise the literature related to pulp vitality and sensibility testing in order to determine the diagnostic accuracy of pulp tests with reference to a gold standard or control group. Implications of the results for research and clinical practice are also explored. The MEDLINE (Ovid), MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase and Cochrane databases were searched for English‐language clinical trials in humans in which in vivo studies were designed to evaluate or compare the accuracy of selected pulp sensibility and pulp vitality tests in determining the state of pulpal health in permanent teeth. Studies were included only if the results were compared to a control group or to a valid gold or reference standard. Eight studies were identified. Shortcomings in research design were found to influence the findings. The limited number of studies investigating pulp vitality tests was insufficient to answer the research question. It was concluded from this critical appraisal of the literature that laser Doppler flowmetry appeared to be the most accurate method for diagnosing the state of pulpal health and came closest to serving as a gold standard. Pulp vitality tests proved superior to pulp sensibility tests for early and accurate assessments of the pulpal health of traumatized teeth. When accurately used and interpreted, pulp sensibility tests provide valuable diagnostic information, particularly when an electric pulp test is used in combination with either CO2 snow or Endo‐Ice.

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  • Initial pulp sensibility testing is a good predictor for the long-term prognosis of the pulp.

    “Initial testing is also a good predictor for the long-term prognosis of the pulp. 13-16, 21”

    From International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries: 1. Fractures and luxations. (2020) · cites this paper as [21]

    The Conclusions (page unavailable) say pulp sensibility tests can provide valuable information about current pulpal health, although their results are subject to error. The review assesses diagnostic accuracy, not whether an initial test predicts the pulp’s long-term prognosis; that part of the claim is unsupported. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [29]29. Trowbridge H, Kim S (1998) Pulp development, structure and function. In: Cohen S, Burns RC, eds. Pathways of the Pulp, 7th edn. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, pp. 386-424.

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Authors
Alghaithy, R. A., & Qualtrough, A. J. E.
Affiliations
University of Manchester (GB)
Corresponding author
Alghaithy, R. A.
ORCID
Qualtrough, A. J. E.
Venue
International Endodontic Journal
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2016-02-11
Volume
50
Issue
2
Pages
135-142
ISSN
  • 0143-2885 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2591
DOI
10.1111/iej.12611
OpenAlex
W2271972203
Cited by
178
References
31
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 2
FWCI
2.38
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • International Endodontic Journal (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Oral Surgery › Endodontics and Root Canal Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Emergency Medical Services › Dental Trauma and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Oral Surgery › Dental Radiography and Imaging
Keywords
pulp vitality testing, permanent teeth, diagnostic accuracy, laser Doppler flowmetry, electric pulp test, traumatized teeth, gold standard
MeSH terms
Dental Pulp, Dentin Sensitivity, Humans, Laser-Doppler Flowmetry

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