Observation of electric pulp testing scores of the permanent anterior teeth in children

AIM: To observe the electric pulp testing scores of permanent anterior teeth in children and study the relationship of the scores to the root development. METHODS: Digital Technology automatic pulp vitality tester was used to detect 256 permanent anterior teeth of children,and the scores were compared with the X-ray films of the teeth. RESULTS: For the underdeveloped permanent anterior teeth,there was no or a retarded pulp vitality score;and for the teeth which had developed completely in root,the pulp vitality score was usually normal;and the normal-reacted teeth number was increased with the root development. CONCLUSION: The permanent anterior teeth pulp vitality scores in children was related with the root developmental condition,and for the underdeveloped permanent teeth,the pulp vitality test score could not reveal the true condition of pulp vitality.