title: A novel instrument to determine pulp proximity.
abstract: The aim was to determine whether extracted teeth could be used to test the Prepometer instrument, which indicates pulp proximity with green/amber/red light emitting diodes. Third molars were reduced to a plane in dentine and Prepometer readings made. Dentine was removed in 0.5 mm increments and readings made until only lights 9 or 10 (red) showed. The teeth were sectioned and the dentine thickness measured. Analysis permitted construction of a highly significant predictor-model (p < 0.01), the red/amber light boundary coinciding with a dentine thickness of 2.4 mm. The Prepometer was consistent in predicting pulp proximity but was more sensitive than specified.
authors.affiliation: david.purton@dent.otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Purton
authors.forename: Nicholas P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Chandler
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Monteith
authors.forename: Alison J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Qualtrough
mesh_terms: D003762:Dental Instruments; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003804:Dentin / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003806:Dentin Permeability; D017097:Electric Impedance; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008964:Molar, Third; D019231:Tooth Preparation, Prosthodontic; D055815:Young Adult