RESUMO
To find out the appropriate electrode placement site for electric pulp tester on first premolar teeth of both arches. This was an experimental study performed at Institute of Dentistry, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro from October 2010 to March 2011. Forty volunteers with first premolar teeth free of restorations and caries were recruited. First premolar from each quadrant was selected, and rubber dam was applied without clamps. Three sites on each crown were tested twice with an electric pulp tester, and lowest threshold responses were recorded. Data were analyzed with ANOVA variable test. The lowest response for both [maxillary and mandibular] teeth was found on the tip of buccal cusp. Other sites showed an increase in level from the tip of buccal cusp, middle 1/3 of buccal surface and cervical 1/3 of buccal surface. No statistically significant difference was found in the responses of male and female subjects. It was concluded that the appropriate electrode placement site for pulp tester on first premolar teeth is the tip of buccal cusp