vitalometer

plural vitalometers

1. orthodonticsA device used to test the vitality of the dental pulp.

   Palatal abscess can be differentiated clinically from salivary neoplasms by noting the presence of pain and identifying an odontogenic infectious source by vitalometer testing or a periapical lesion by radiographs.

   2002, Lewis R. Eversole, chapter 6, in Clinical Outline of Oral Pathology: Diagnosis and Treatment, Third Edition, BC Decker, page 154

   2 more examples

   A vitalometer is a device which is applied to a tooth to test whether the low voltage current flowing through the tooth from the vitalometer is felt by the pulp of the tooth. If the tooth is nonvital (dead), there will be no reaction. However, if the pulp is alive, the patient will receive a sensation as current is applied.

   1967, L. H. Schwarzrock, S. P. Schwarzrock, chapter 20, in Effective Dental Assisting, Third Edition, WM. C. Brown Company Publishers, page 295

   Vitalometer tip must be precleaned, either, placed in a sterilizing pouch with an internal process indicator, sealed, then sterilized OR wrapped with an internal process indicator inside and secured on the outside with process indicator tape, then sterilized.

   2018, Linda R. Bartolomucci Boyd, chapter 11, in Dental Instruments:A Pocket Guide, Sixth Edition, Elsevier, page 275

   Synonyms: pulp tester