OBJECTIVEThis study aims to investigate the positioning accuracy of acute pulpitis pain and its possible factors.

METHODSThe clinical symptoms and physical signs of 3 432 cases of acute pulpitis were recorded and analyzed by using questionnaire forms, which included age, gender, tooth position, infection origin, pain history, time of acute attack, duration and nature of pain, pain frequency, referred pain areas, percussion examination, temperature pulp test, pulp bleeding, and positioning accuracy. Univariate analysis and multivariate stepwise regression analysis were used for data processing.

RESULTSPain location was accurately identified by 39.1% of the patients with acute pulpitis. Referred pain could reduce the positioning accuracy of pain (P < 0.05), whereas infection originating from the periodontium could raise it (P < 0.05). Other factors might not be directly related to positioning accuracy (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSome cases of acute pulpitis pain can be located accurately. Referred pain and periodontium infection origin are related to the positioning accuracy of acute pulpitis pain. The exact cause of this correlation needs further study.