Assessment of pulp vitality: a review.
BACKGROUND
One of the greatest diagnostic challenges in clinical practice is the accurate assessment of pulp status. This may be further complicated in paediatric dentistry where the practitioner is faced with a developing dentition, traumatized teeth, or young children who have a limited ability to recall a pain history for the tooth in question. A variety of pulp testing approaches exist, and there may be confusion as to their validity or appropriateness in different clinical situations.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper is to provide the clinician with a comprehensive review of current pulp testing methods. A key objective is to highlight the difference between sensitivity testing and vitality testing. A biological basis for pulp testing is also provided to allow greater insight into the interpretation of pulp testing results. The rationale for, and methods of, assessing pulpal blood flow are described.
Gopikrishna
Velayutham
V
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College, Chennai, India. hi_gopikrishna@hotmail.com
Pradeep
Gali
G
Venkateshbabu
Nagendrababu
N
D002648:Child; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D003788:Dental Pulp Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D003791:Dental Pulp Test / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology