Background: Orthodontic treatment can be related to various pulp reactions such as hyperemia, pulp devitalization due to secondary dentin formation, internal root resorption, and pulp necrosis. The purpose of this study is to assess the changes in pulp response to an electric pulp test at two different time points in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Materials and Methods: In this prospective descriptive analytical study, before bonding the brackets, the response to Electric Pulp Testing (EPT) was recorded in 22 patients who met the inclusion criteria. At intervals of 9 months following the initiation of treatment and 3 months after debonding the brackets (15 month after treatment began), the patients were called to repeat the EPT. Changes in the response to EPT were recorded at each time. The data were analyzed with Chi-square and Friedman statistical tests (α=0.05).
Results: There was no significant difference in the response to EPT in incisor teeth 9 months after the start of treatment (P = 0.141) and 3 months after debonding (P = 0.585). Comparing the EPT test between the studied groups showed a significant difference. (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study most of the incisor teeth had an increased response to the electrical test in between intervals, although the difference in the recorded response was not significant. Also, the position of the teeth does not differ in the recorded response.