Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 26, 2025
3D Imaging of PDL Collagen Fibers during Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Mandibular Murine Model
Published on: April 15, 2021
Pulp sensitivity changes during orthodontic treatment at different time periods: a prospective study
Benjamín Briseño-Marroquín1,2, Héctor López-Murillo3, Robert Kuchen4
1Department of Restorative, Preventive and Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 7, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland. benjamin.briseno@zmk.unibe.ch.
Objective:
The purpose of this investigation was to recognize pulp sensitivity changes in teeth receiving orthodontic treatment by means of an electric pulp tester (Vitality Scanner Model 2006; Kerr Corporation, Brea CA, USA).
Materials And Methods:
An electric stimulus response threshold of eight teeth in 22 patients was measured prior to positioning orthodontic attachments, immediately before ligation of a nickel titanium archwire, immediately after ligation of a stainless steel archwire and 9 to 15 months after having achieved the clinical purposes established with the nickel titanium archwires. The first measurement served as baseline.
Results:
All teeth responded to an electrical stimulus at all times. No statistical differences were observed between the response thresholds obtained at different treatment times. The mean response threshold of the second measurement showed a decreasing response threshold tendency when compared with those of the baseline measurement. The mean response threshold of the third measurement showed an increasing tendency when compared with those of the baseline measurement. The first maxillary incisor and canine showed the lowest decreasing response threshold after the second measurement and the highest increasing response threshold after the third measurement. Less noticeable, but similar decreasing and increasing response threshold tendencies were observed in all other teeth after the second and third measurements, respectively.
Conclusions:
The results obtained in this investigation suggest that pulp sensitivity can be monitored during orthodontic treatment by means of an electric pulp tester.
Clinical Relevance:
The importance of monitoring the pulp status during orthodontic treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or...
01:15Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...