Pulp sensibility test in elderly patients

Abstract

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. © 2012 The Gerodontology Society and John Wiley & Sons A/S.