Evaluation of a new means of pulpal diagnosis through a prospective study of 133 cases

Abstract

Introduction: The most accurate method for evaluation of pulpal status is histological examination. Unfortunately, it is clinically inapplicable. The goal of our work is to focus on in situ observation, which is proven to be a historically reliable and clinically applicable means. Materials and Methods: This is a 22-month prospective cross-sectional epidemiological study of 133 cases. For each case, the initial pulpal diagnosis is confronted with the in situ observation. The initial pulpal diagnosis is either retained or corrected according to the in situ observation. Results: The Chi-squared test gave a value of P < 0.005; no correlation is observed between the initial pulpal diagnosis and the final diagnosis (After the in situ observation). Conclusion: Histologically, when the pulp is irritated, a vascular reaction is observed. This reaction will influence the color and the flow of pulp blood. This blood changes can be detected with the naked eye which led us to propose a classification of the different in situ observations to refine the initial pulp diagnosis.