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Pulp sensibility test in elderly patients
Roberta Vieira Farac1, Renata Dornelles Morgental, Regina Karla de Pontes Lima
1Department of Geriatric Dentistry, School of Professional Education, São Paulo State Dental Association (APCD), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Background:
The ageing process transforms the histological composition of the dental pulp and may affect the response to pulp sensibility tests.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to assess the influence of age on pulp response time and on pain intensity.
Material And Methods:
Fifty elderly patients and 50 young patients were selected. Different classes of teeth were evaluated. The pulp sensibility test was performed with a refrigerant spray. The pulp response time was measured in seconds and the pain intensity was assessed by visual analogue scale.
Results:
The Spearman coefficient was calculated and detect a positive correlation between age and pulp response time for maxillary incisors, premolars, mandibular incisors, and mean (p < 0.05). On the contrary, there was a negative correlation between age and pain intensity for maxillary incisors, mandibular incisors, and mean (p < 0.05). Also, the results of elderly and young groups were compared by Mann-Whitney test. Significant difference was noted regarding the pulp response time for maxillary incisors, premolars, mandibular incisors, and mean (p < 0.05). Significant difference was detected regarding the pain intensity for mandibular incisors only (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Pulp response time increases when people get older while pain intensity decreases. There were variations among the classes of teeth.
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