Aim: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of electric pulp testing compared to
thermal method in registering pulp status in primary molars.
Subjects & Methods: Forty cooperative children with carious primary molars were included
in the study. The cold test was carried out using Ethyl Chloride on cotton pellet and was applied to
the middle third of the buccal surface until the child indicated that he had felt sensation. The heat
test was carried out using heated gutta-percha. Before using the electric pulp tester (EPT) teeth
were isolated and dried. The gold standard for pulp status was decided by direct inspection of the
presence or absence of bleeding after access cavity had been done. Data were statistically described
in terms of frequencies and percentages. Comparison between the different test results was done
using McNemar test. Agreement was tested using kappa statistic. Accuracy was represented
using the terms sensitivity, specificity, +ve predictive value, -ve predictive value, and accuracy.
Comparing accuracy was done using Yates corrected Chi squared test. p values less than 0.05 was
considered statistically significant.
Results: The highest accuracy was found for EPT followed by heat and cold tests. The highest
true negative response was recorded for EPT (47.5%), then heat and cold (35%) and (30%)
respectively. Sensitivity for EPT, heat and cold was 84.2%, 94.74% and 84.21 respectively while,
specificity was 90.48%, 66.67% and 57.14%.
Conclusions: EPT can be used as a sensible test for diagnosing pulp status in primary teeth.