When testing a suspected pulpally involved tooth, which control teeth should be used?

When assessing a suspected pulpally involved tooth, including control teeth is crucial for establishing a reliable baseline for comparison. Utilizing adjacent teeth and contralateral teeth provides a broader context and helps in determining if the response of the suspected tooth deviates from what is expected based on the health of similar teeth.

Adjacent teeth allow the clinician to evaluate the pulp health and sensitivity of teeth that are anatomically and functionally close, providing insights into local pathological processes. Contralateral teeth—those on the opposite side of the arch—offer additional information, allowing the clinician to assess whether the tooth in question displays abnormal responses compared to its counterpart, which typically maintains healthy pulp tissue.

This combination ensures that the clinician can confidently conclude whether there is pulp involvement in the suspect tooth by comparing its reactions to stimuli against those of healthy teeth in the same quadrant, as well as symmetrically opposing ones. This method strengthens diagnostic accuracy, making it an essential practice in endodontic assessments.