Diagnostic accuracy of three placement sites for the cold test in subjects amongst different age groups.

BACKGROUND: The cold test is a specific test of pulp sensitivity and is part of the endodontic diagnosis. The aim of this study was to identify the diagnostic accuracy including sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value in three sites for the cold test in teeth with a need for endodontic treatment within different age groups from both genders. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed, evaluating 425 subjects. Two hundred and fifty-eight subjects from both genders from the ages of 17-27, 28-39, 40-50, and 51-65 years-old participated in the study. The cold test studied was 1, 1, 1, 2-tetrafluoroethane, and the gold standard was established through direct pulp inspection. The sites evaluated in the study were: The sites evaluated in the study were: a) the middle third of the buccal surface; b) the cervical third of the buccal surface, and c) the middle third of the lingual surface. RESULTS: The highest diagnosted accuracy was observed on the middle third buccal surface with an accuracy of = 0.97, a sensitivity of = 1.00, a specificity of 0.95, a predictive value of = 0.95 and a negative predictive value of = 1.00. This was in the female group aged from 40 to 50 years old. CONCLUSION: The tables of this study can be used as an auxiliary for pulp sensitivity tests.

Levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 and cold test in reversible and irreversible pulpitis.

ABSTRACT: Researchers have reported false positive/negative results of the cold test in the diagnosis of pulpitis. Knowledge of the correlation between results of the cold test and proteins could aid in decreasing the frequency of incorrect diagnosis. To associate the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) with the responses (in seconds) to the cold test in teeth diagnosed with reversible and irreversible pulpitis.A cross-sectional study was performed. A total of 150 subjects were evaluated, of which 60 subjects met the selection criteria. The participants were divided into 3 groups: Group 1, healthy pulps, 20 subjects with 20 posterior teeth (premolars) with clinically normal pulp tissue; Group 2, reversible pulpitis, 20 patients with 20 teeth diagnosed with reversible pulpitis; and Group 3, irreversible pulpitis, 20 subjects with 20 teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis. All participants were evaluated based on the following variables: medical and dental history, cold test, and expression of MMP-8 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in dentin samples.Responses to the cold test between 4 to 5 seconds (second evaluation; P < .0001) were associated with high levels of MMP-8 (mean, 0.36 ng/mL) in the reversible pulpitis group. In the irreversible pulpitis group, the responses from 6 to ≥10 seconds (second evaluation; P < .0001) were associated with a higher average of MMP-8 levels (mean, 1.97 ng/mL).We determined that an increase in the duration of response to the cold test was associated with an increase in MMP-8 levels (Rho = 0.81, P < .0001) in teeth with pulpitis. The above correlations can be considered an adjunct to the clinical diagnosis of pulpitis.

Expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide and pulp sensitivity tests in irreversible pulpitis.

The aim of the present study was to identify the relationship between the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and the responses of pulp sensitivity tests in healthy pulps and irreversible pulps by performing a cross-sectional study on patients. Two hundred subjects were evaluated. A total of 75 subjects complied with the criteria. The participants were divided into two groups: a) Healthy pulp (subjects [n = 35] having posterior teeth with clinically normal pulp tissue), and b) Irreversible pulpitis (subjects [n = 40] having posterior teeth with irreversible pulpitis). All participants were evaluated using the following variables: a) medical and dental history, b) pulp sensitivity tests, c) expression of CGRP by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and d) expression levels of mRNA CGRP and mRNA CGRP receptor genes. We determined that the responses of the cold test between 4 and ≥12 s presented a higher average of the expression of CGRP in the group having irreversible pulpitis (p = 0.0001). When we compared the groups with the value of the electrical impulse, we found statistically significant differences (p = 0.0001), observing positive responses to the test with electrical impulses of 7 to 10, with an average of 72.15 ng/mL of CGRP in the irreversible pulpitis group. High values of CGRP expression were observed in that group in the responses of pulp sensitivity.

Expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide and pulp sensitivity tests in irreversible pulpitis

Abstract The aim of the present study was to identify the relationship between the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and the responses of pulp sensitivity tests in healthy pulps and irreversible pulps by performing a cross-sectional study on patients. Two hundred subjects were evaluated. A total of 75 subjects complied with the criteria. The participants were divided into two groups: a) Healthy pulp (subjects [n = 35] having posterior teeth with clinically normal pulp tissue), and b) Irreversible pulpitis (subjects [n = 40] having posterior teeth with irreversible pulpitis). All participants were evaluated using the following variables: a) medical and dental history, b) pulp sensitivity tests, c) expression of CGRP by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and d) expression levels of mRNA CGRP and mRNA CGRP receptor genes. We determined that the responses of the cold test between 4 and ≥12 s presented a higher average of the expression of CGRP in the group having irreversible pulpitis (p = 0.0001). When we compared the groups with the value of the electrical impulse, we found statistically significant differences (p = 0.0001), observing positive responses to the test with electrical impulses of 7 to 10, with an average of 72.15 ng/mL of CGRP in the irreversible pulpitis group. High values of CGRP expression were observed in that group in the responses of pulp sensitivity.