Electric Pulp Tester Response Thresholds Across Electrode Placement Sites in Maxillary and Mandibular Anterior Teeth: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVES To compare the Electric Pulp Tester (EPT) response thresholds at different electrode placement sites (incisal edge, third, middle third, and cervical third) in maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth. METHODOLOGY This cross-sectional study was carried out from December 2022 to March 2023. This study included individuals from the age range of 18 – 60 years. Six teeth of 60 individuals were assessed in the study. Randomly, either the right or left side of the arch was selected. EPT was performed on each tooth at four different sites (incisal edge, incisal third, middle third, cervical third, labially). The reading was noted when the individual felt tingling or warmth in the tooth. The digital readout at which the participant felt the sensation was considered the threshold. The data was analyzed using R/RStudio. Means of variables from each location were compared using ANOVA and Pair sample t Test while the critical level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were observed in EPT readings between maxillary and mandibular teeth across the tested regions (p > 0.05). In maxillary anterior teeth, significant differences were found across the four areas, with the middle third of central and lateral incisors (15.77 ± 8.13, p = 0.045; 16.30 ± 8.70, p = 0.032) and the cervical third of canines (17.58 ± 10.76, p = 0.028) showing the lowest threshold values. In contrast, no significant variations were observed in the mandibular anterior teeth across the four regions (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION The middle third of maxillary anterior teeth may be an optimal site for EPT electrode placement. However, no significant differences were noted across regions for mandibular anterior teeth.