PULP RESPONSES TO AN ELECTRIC PULP STIMULATOR IN THE DEVELOPING PERMANENT ANTERIOR DENTITION

The author studied the response to the stimulation of an electric pulp stimulator of healthy 854 permanent anterior teeth in 122 children aged from six to eleven years old, during different stages of tooth development. The results were as followings: 1) In completely open apices, 13.1% (18 teeth) showed positive responses, and 86.9% (120 teeth) showed negative responses. In two-thirds open apices 33.1% (75 teeth) showed positive responses, and 66.9% (152 teeth) showed negative responses. In one-third open apices 57.8% (118 teeth) showed positive responses, and 42.2% (86 teeth) showed negative responses. In closed apices 80.0% (228 teeth) showed positive responses, and 20.0% (57 teeth) showed negative responses. 2) The number of positive responses increased in each upper and lower central incisors during the stages of root development, but not in upper lateral incisors. 3) There were no significant differences statistically in responses between the teeth of the right and left sides and the upper and the lower jaw, in the same stages of root development.