Comparison of methods for measuring root and mucogingival sensitivity.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the variability of measurements of root and mucogingival sensitivity over a 24-hour period.


METHODS
Sixteen individuals (46.8 +/- 3.2 years old) were randomly tested for pain thresholds with calibrated electrical stimulation of the root and adjacent mucosa (electric pulp tester), pressure on mucosa (pressure-sensitive probe), and cold on the root (experimental thermocoupler probe) at baseline and after 4, 8, and 24 hours. Variability between and within subjects was estimated by using analysis of variance for random effects.


RESULTS
Intrasubject variability was highest for electric testing of the root and lowest for cold testing of the root across time. Of all subjects, 93% fell within 5 degrees C at all periods for the cold stimulation/moderate pain threshold.


CONCLUSIONS
Calibrated cold stimulation of root areas appears to provide the most sensitive measure to assess therapeutic interventions to control cervical dental pain because of low intrasubject variability in untreated patients.
Walline
B W
BW
University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Dentistry, Lincoln, NE 68583-0757, USA.
Wagner
J G
JG
Marx
D B
DB
Reinhardt
R A
RA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003791:Dental Pulp Test; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D017288:Pain Threshold; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011312:Pressure; D019237:Tooth Cervix / Q000503:physiopathology; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000503:physiopathology*