Assessment of Responses of Pulp Sensibility Tests during Orthodontic Treatment

Abstract

Background: Orthodontic teeth movement is based on application force to the teeth in a certain period of time which may vary between months and years. This movement inevitably causes biological reactions in periodontal ligament and pulp. The present study was conducted to assess responses of pulp sensibility tests during orthodontic treatment.

Materials & Methods: 45 subjects were divided into group I was orthodontic group and group II was control (non-orthodontic) group. Cold and electrical stimuli were applied to the maxillary incisors and canines immediately before and after the placement of fixed appliances and at regular intervals for both groups during active treatment and 12 months into retention.

Results: The mean response threshold in group I and II was 34.1 and 29.4, 42.3 and 29.9, 48.7 and 30.1, 50.2    and 31.2, 48.5        and 31.5, 47.2 and 30.5, 45.7 and 31.2, 43.6 and 30.6, 41.3 and 30.7, 38.6 and 31.1, 35.1 and 30.6 at time 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).

Conclusion: Thresholds to electric testing was higher for orthodontic group as compared to non- orthodontic group.