The optimum placement-site of the electrode in electric pulp testing of the 12 anterior teeth.

The present study of 2,387 recordings of 12 anterior teeth in 53 patients indicates that the incisal edge is the optimal placement-site for the electric pulp tester to determine the lowest response threshold. The results show significant individual variations in the lowest threshold responses of the cervical-third, middle-third, incisal one-third, and incisal edge sites on a tooth, with a confidence level of 99%, according to the analysis of variance. The maxillary teeth gave a higher response threshold than the mandibular teeth and different types of teeth (canines and incisors) had statistically significant different response thresholds. The application of the electric pulp tester to the incisal-edge region with exposed dentin produced the most significant decrease in the threshold response.