Can the vitality test cause damage?

sudzs · 11-02-2009 9:34pm #1

Not sure if that's what it's even referred to but what I mean is the test done with something extremely cold to test if a tooth is still "alive"... and if it is possible it could cause damage to a very large filling also with some pinning in it. Could the sudden cooling of the structure weaken it in any way? Especially if it was quite old and tired. Is there a preferable way of testing for vitality on such a tooth?

Thanks!

fonpokno · 11-02-2009 11:43pm

I had this done before. It took about half a second and was over with. I can't imagine it causing any trouble to a tooth, it's just feels like touching ice cream against the tooth!

But that's just my experience of it!

sudzs · 12-02-2009 7:57am

Thanks for the reply!

Yes, I had it done the other day too, on a very sad tooth! I lost a small piece of tooth from it in the New Year and went to the dentist to see what could be done. Well she did the freezing test to see if there was any life there and there is! Big job planned for it in a month or so.

Problem is a big piece of filling and/or tooth fell out of it while I was brushing yesterday and as far as I can tell it's in the spot the test was applied.

Now maybe it's just cooincidence or maybe it would have happened anyway as it's a very old and tired filling, but was just wondering if that test could weaken an already compromised, heavily filled tooth by the sudden cooling down and then warming back up... in a similar way to frost shattering in rocks with fissures and cracks!

fonpokno · 12-02-2009 9:37am

Ohhh I see. I'd say that's quite possible yes, especially if it's already a bit dodgy.

But I'm not a dentist!

Big_G · 12-02-2009 6:18pm

Short answer: nope.
Other tests - electronic pulp tester, test cavity.
The first one is about as valuable as hot/cold testing in terms of diagnostic ability, the second you do not want.

vishal · 12-02-2009 6:53pm

it won't damage the tooth.
One way of doing the test is freezing an ice stick it a carpule of Local anaesthetic and putting this ice stick on the tooth.

If you couldn't put an ice cube on your tooth, your tooth isn't of much use in it's current state, is it?

Can the vitality test cause damage?

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