False positive or false negative results are possible when performing a sensitivity testing. [13][14] In addition, cold testing is also more accurate than electric pulp in the case of running tests upon immature or traumatised teeth.[15]. The BPE can only be performed using a WHO probe and the probing force applied should be 20–25 g. There are two common variants of the WHO probe in use: the WHO-E (epidemiological) type probe and the WHO-C (clinical) type probe (Figure 2.1). The BPE (Table 2.1) is a screening tool to enable practitioners to determine whether or not their patient has significant periodontal disease. The failure of a pulp to respond immediately after an accident is not an indication for endodontic therapy. Failure of a tooth to respond to heat indicates pulpal necrosis. To carry out a BPE, the dentition is divided into sextants (first premolar to second molar and canine to canine). Fractures of the coronal third of the root of a single-rooted tooth usually necessitate extraction. This outstanding diagnostic tool is automatically controlled and features large digital readouts. £117.99 With the aid of a good light, the dentist should carefully examine the clinical crown for cracks and craze lines, the presence of which could influence the type of permanent restoration used for the tooth. Percussion or palpation pain may be lacking in a tooth in which the inflammatory process has not reached the proprioceptive fibers of the periodontal ligament. This needs to be performed at all sites in the mouth as there may be variation in the severity of disease at different sites and at different times. The masticator space is often also involved. An accurate determination of the status of the pulp is a critical element in achieving the correct diagnosis and treatment plan. Use thermal rather than electrical pulp testers: pulp reactions can be misleading in the acute phase. Throughout the drilling process, the patient is asked whether a painful sensation is felt, which would indicate pulpal vitality. The electric pulp tester (EPT) delivers a graduated increase in electric current (alternating or direct) to excite a response from the Aδ nerve fibres within the viable pulp. These tests also evaluated possible associations between oxygen saturation and cold and electric pulp testing. If it was, then diagnosis would be much easier, but it often gives us essential information that will confirm a clinical diagnosis. Completion of these examinations establishes the presence, location and severity of any periodontal disease, and it is only at this juncture that the clinician can establish whether a radiographic examination is required and, if so, which radiographs are appropriate. Bone loss is localized if up to and including 30% of sites are affected; it is generalized if more than 30% of sites are affected. Failure of a recently traumatized tooth to respond to the pulp test is not uncommon and may indicate a previous injury with a resulting necrotic pulp. d) assessing pulpal status following dental trauma. The key elements to note on each are a ball-shaped probe tip of diameter 0.5 mm and a coloured band extending from 3.5 to 5.5 mm. As with any system, the BPE has both advantages and disadvantages (Table 2.2) and the reader should be aware of these if the system is to be correctly applied and interpreted. Pacing interval remained constant and there was no interference produced and it can be suggested that this device is probably safe to use in the dental office during the treatment of pacemaker patients. Sensibility tests include thermal and electric tests; these are based on sensory response. Pulp vitality was evaluated and recorded with an electronic digital pulp tester and a thermal pulp tester.13 All teeth subjected to pulp vitality tests (canines, incisors, second premolars, first molars) were cleaned and tested on the buccal surfaces.