Electric pulp test

In dentistry, an electric pulp test ascertains the vitality of a tooth.

An electric pulp test (EPT) consists of the following: An electric pulp tester is placed on the tooth to be tested along with a drop of conducting paste. Usually the patient's saliva or toothpaste suffices as a conductor of electricity. The electric current is gradually increased until the patient signals a sensation, which consists of clicking or buzzing in the tooth. The test is repeated on neighboring teeth and often on the corresponding contralateral tooth. The lowest perceptible current is recorded for each tooth.

No response from a tooth generally indicates pulpal necrosis or dental abscess, which suggests root canal therapy or dental extraction. A very quick response compared to the adjacent teeth generally indicates pulpitis and presages pulp death. Similar response to neighboring teeth suggests a healthy tooth.

Endodontology (ICD-9-CM V3 23.0–23.2+23.7, ICD-10-PCS 0C?W–X)

Tests	Dental radiography Electric pulp test

Tools	Amalgam Dental dam EDTA Electronic apex locator Eucalyptol Files and reamers Gutta-percha Operating microscope Rotary technology Saline Silverpoints Sodium hypochlorite

Procedures	Apicoectomy Endodontic retreatment Endodontic therapy Regenerative endodontics Internal bleaching Pulpotomy Pulp capping

Dentistry

Specialties	Endodontics Oral and maxillofacial pathology Oral and maxillofacial radiology Oral and maxillofacial surgery Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics Pediatric dentistry Periodontics Prosthodontics Dental public health Cosmetic dentistry Dental implantology Geriatric dentistry Restorative dentistry Forensic odontology Dental traumatology Holistic dentistry

Dental surgery	Dental extraction Tooth filling Root canal therapy Root end surgery Scaling and root planing Teeth cleaning Dental bonding Tooth polishing Tooth bleaching Socket preservation Dental implant

Organisations	American Association of Orthodontists British Dental Association British Dental Health Foundation British Orthodontic Society Canadian Association of Orthodontists Dental Technologists Association Indian Dental Association National Health Service Orthodontic National Group Orthodontic Technicians Association General Dental Council

See also	Index of oral health and dental articles Outline of dentistry and oral health Oral hygiene Dental fear Dental instruments Dental material Infant oral mutilation Mouth assessment

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