Electric Pulp Test Effective for Assessing Pulpal Sensitivity in Irreversible Pulpitis

Suggests a new study published in the Journal of Endodontics

Introduction

Accurate diagnosis is one of the most important steps before endodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of two commonly used analgesics, namely ibuprofen and acetaminophen, on the cold and electric pulp test (EPT) results in participants with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP).

Methodology

This clinical trial evaluated 41 participants with pain due to SIP. The cold test and EPT were performed for teeth with SIP, and also for the corresponding tooth with healthy pulp in the contralateral quadrant. The participants then received 500 mg acetaminophen, 400 mg ibuprofen, or the placebo in the three groups. The cold test and EPT were repeated at 20, 40, and 60 minutes after medication intake, and the results were compared with the pre-treatment values.

Results

• In the acetaminophen group, the results of the cold test significantly decreased 40 (P<0.05), and 60 (P<0.05) minutes after analgesic intake in teeth with SIP and after 40 minutes (P<0.05) in the corresponding contralateral teeth with healthy pulp.
• In the ibuprofen group, the cold test results significantly decreased at 20 (P<0.05), 40 (P<0.05), and 60 (P<0.05) minutes after analgesic intake in teeth with SIP and after 40 minutes (P<0.05) in the corresponding contralateral teeth with healthy pulp.
• The EPT results were not significantly affected by the studied analgesics at any time point (P>0.05).
• There was no significant difference among the study groups regarding sex (P>0.05).

It appears that both acetaminophen and ibuprofen can affect the pulpal response to the cold sensibility test. However, the studied medications had no significant effect on the EPT results. Therefore, dental clinicians should be aware of the possible effects of such medications on the cold test response.

Reference

Aidin Soooratgar, Negin Khavanin, Fatemeh Dibaji, Yasin Asadi, Mohammadjavad Kharazifard. Evaluation of the Effect of Common Analgesics on Pulpal Sensibility Tests: A Clinical Trial. Published: January 16, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2023.01.003

Keywords

Journal of Endodontics, Aidin Soooratgar, Negin Khavanin, Fatemeh Dibaji, Yasin Asadi, Mohammad-Javad Kharazifard, Evaluation, Effect, Common, Analgesics, Pulpal, Sensibility, Tests, Clinical Trial