title: Diagnostic pulp testing in dentistry: how far have we come?
abstract: Techniques of pulp testing to determine vitality or sensibility have been in use for decades. While very little has changed in our methodologies, our understanding of the biology of the health and disease of the dental pulp has been enhanced. However, without thorough data collection using appropriate tests, and an integrated synthesis and analysis of this data, there is little chance of arriving at a diagnosis that will determine the proper course of treatment. While this need was clearly identified by Dr. Truman W Brophy over 130 years ago, we are still faced with these challenges today.
authors.affiliation: Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. jlg4570@aol.com
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gutmann
mesh_terms: D003782:Dental Pulp; D006665:History of Dentistry; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans