Pain Threshold of Human Anterior Teeth to Pressure Stimulation

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to design a method of measuring the pain threshold of human teeth and to study the relationship of variables such as age and sex with pain threshold of teeth. A procedure was developed to measure the pain threshold to mechanical stimulation applied as a force with a push gauge. An analysis of the data collected indicates that the method employed is reliable for the measurement of pain threshold. Adults were found to have a higher pain threshold than adolescents, males have a higher pain threshold than females and the pain threshold level of adolescent maxillary central incisors is higher than maxillary lateral incisors. Additionally, it is obvious that the many variables which affect pain threshold are easier to control when tests are performed on the same day than when performed on different days. Further studies in this area are needed, particularly studies of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Only in this way will we be able to develop exact procedures which will enable us to adequately control or entirely prevent discomfort associated with mechanical movement of teeth.