Discoloration of a tooth after traumatic injury is a common indication of pulpal necrosis. Root canal treatment is indicated if electric pulp test reveals non-vital pulp.
The dentist didn't give me the option of a pulp viability test...what does that consist of? She said the x-ray was indeterminant and doesn't show definite evidence of nerve death. Thanks for the feedback!
Electric pulp test is perfomed by contacting a rod to the tested tooth surface. The rod can deliver a small amount of electric current and increase gradually, if the tooth is non-vital, there is no response of tooth. on contrast, if the tooth is vital, a tingling or pain sensation is elicited. I suppose electric pulp tester is an indispensible device in every dental office.
That's good to know...I'll ask about it. What is the difference b/w the nerve and the pulp, or are they the same?
Pulp is the official terminology, nerve is verbal english for pulp,
Ok, thanks for all the info!!