Assessment of reliability of electrical and thermal pulp testing agents

The reliability of several pulp testing agents was compared in intact human premolar teeth. The electric pulp tester, CO 2 snow and dichlorodifluoromethane were found to be more dependable than ethyl chloride and ice in producing a positive response. However, in young patients the electric pulp test was less reliable than CO 2 snow and dichlorodifluoromethane but more reliable than ethyl chloride and ice. The thermal agents were also compared for their ability to decrease intrapulpal temperature in vitro. The rate of temperature decrease was greater when CO 2 snow or dichlorodifluoromethane were applied to the tooth than in the case of either ethyl chloride or ice.