Comparison of pulp sensibility test responses in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and healthy individuals in the Indian subpopulation

Systemic conditions such as diabetes mellitus (DM) may influence or be reflected through variations in pulp sensibility responses, making dental pulp tests potentially valuable in systemic health assessment. This study aimed to compare the responses of pulp sensibility tests - electric pulp test (EPT) and cold test - among patients with controlled type 2 diabetes, uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, and healthy individuals. A total of 300 participants aged 20-60 years were divided into three equal groups (n = 100): Group A - uncontrolled diabetics, Group B - controlled diabetics, and Group C - healthy individuals. Each participant underwent both EPT and cold tests on intact premolars. Pulp responses were recorded and analyzed. Data were statistically evaluated using one-way ANOVA and Chi-square test with significance set at P < 0.05. Pulp sensibility test responses significantly differed among the three groups. Participants with uncontrolled diabetes exhibited blunted responses in both EPT and cold tests compared to controlled diabetics and healthy individuals (P < 0.05). Controlled diabetics also showed reduced responsiveness relative to healthy controls. Alterations in pulp sensibility responses may serve as a potential early indicator of systemic metabolic dysregulation, with reduced responses correlating with poor glycemic control in type 2 DM.