Pulse oximetry: a useful test for evaluating pulp vitality in traumatized teeth

Expert consensus on pulpotomy in the management of mature permanent teeth with pulpitis

Pulpotomy, which belongs to vital pulp therapy, has become a strategy for managing pulpitis in recent decades. This minimally invasive treatment reflects the recognition of preserving healthy dental pulp and optimizing long-term patient-centered outcomes. Pulpotomy is categorized into partial pulpotomy (PP), the removal of a partial segment of the coronal pulp tissue, and full pulpotomy (FP), the removal of whole coronal pulp, which is followed by applying the biomaterials onto the remaining pulp tissue and ultimately restoring the tooth. Procedural decisions for the amount of pulp tissue removal or retention depend on the diagnostic of pulp vitality, the overall treatment plan, the patient's general health status, and pulp inflammation reassessment during operation. This statement represents the consensus of an expert committee convened by the Society of Cariology and Endodontics, Chinese Stomatological Association. It addresses the current evidence to support the application of pulpotomy as a potential alternative to root canal treatment (RCT) on mature permanent teeth with pulpitis from a biological basis, the development of capping biomaterial, and the diagnostic considerations to evidence-based medicine. This expert statement intends to provide a clinical protocol of pulpotomy, which facilitates practitioners in choosing the optimal procedure and increasing their confidence in this rapidly evolving field.

Evaluation of Oxygen Saturation Levels Using a Custom-modified Finger Pulse Oximeter for Assessment of Pulp Vitality in Various Clinical Situations in Pediatric Dental Practice: An In Vivo Study

Background

A major drawback of traditional pulp testing procedures is that they depend on neural responses rather than vascular circulation. Hence, this study aimed to develop a custom-modified dental sensor using a finger pulse oximeter (PO) that is applicable to any type of tooth so as to test its ability and accuracy in evaluating the oxygen saturation (SaO2) values of teeth at different developmental stages as a measure of pulp vitality.

Materials and methods

A customized finger PO was employed to determine the systemic and pulp SaO2 levels in 300 children. A total of 600 teeth (primary and permanent) were divided into group I (100 primary molars), group II (200 permanent molars), group III (200 permanent incisors), and 100 endodontically treated (primary and permanent) teeth were included in group IV. The mean SaO2 values thus obtained in various groups were compared.

Results

Intragroup comparison of mean SaO2% of the patient's finger (systemic), test teeth, and control teeth showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.001). Intergroup comparisons also revealed significant differences in most of the groups.

Conclusions

The modified PO probe can be applied to any type of tooth. It was found to be accurate and sensitive enough to detect changes in SaO2 levels in various clinical situations irrespective of developmental stage. It proved to be a direct method of evaluation of pulp vitality by objective means.

How to cite this article

Patil A, Garg N, Pathivada L, et al. Evaluation of Oxygen Saturation Levels Using a Custom-modified Finger Pulse Oximeter for Assessment of Pulp Vitality in Various Clinical Situations in Pediatric Dental Practice: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(S-1):S30-S36.

Pulse oximetry as a dental pulp test: A scoping review to identify barriers hindering the use of oximeters in clinical practice

Background and Objective

Although medical pulse oximeters are considered effective for endodontic diagnoses, the method remains uncommon in current dental practice. The aim of the present scoping review was to investigate clinical factors that exert a negative impact on the use of pulse oximeters in dental practice.

Methods

This study followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the protocol was prospectively registered in the Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/3GQCE). A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases was performed in December 2022 for articles published in English or Spanish. All types of clinical studies were included, except comments, letters to the editor, and abstracts. Two independent investigators analyzed 45 full-text articles. Data extraction included general characteristics, oxygen saturation levels, and limiting factors/barriers to the use of oximeters as pulp testers.

Results

The search of the databases yielded 1,300 records and 38 were included (quantitative data extraction was performed for 35 and three articles were systematic reviews). Publications were highest in number between 2016 and 2017, with an evident reduction occurring after 2021. The oxygen saturation level for sound/vital maxillary anterior teeth was 84.99% (overall mean). The main limiting factors/barriers were i) the difficulty in maintaining the two light-emitting diodes parallel during pulp tests, ii) infrared light diffraction by enamel/dentin/gingiva, and iii) the diversity of patient ages in studies.

Conclusion

This scoping review encountered noteworthy findings associated with the impracticability of using medical pulse oximeters as dental pulp testers. The recent decrease in the frequency of published studies compared to approximately seven years ago may imply a negative trend in the use of the method.

Does radiotherapy treatment alter the pulp condition in patients with head and neck cancer? A systematic review

The main purpose of this study was to answer the question: "Can radiotherapy cause changes in the dental pulp condition of patients treated with irradiation in the head and neck region?" Clinical observational studies in adults with head and neck cancer undergoing treatment with ionizing radiation, longitudinal or cross-sectional follow-up to measure oxygen saturation (SpO2), and/or pulp sensitivity test to cold stimulation, were considered eligible. A systematic literature search was performed in six different databases, including the gray literature, and in article references. Two independent evaluators selected the studies, extracted the data, recorded the data on electronic spreadsheets, and then evaluated the methodological quality using the Checklist for Quasi-Experimental Studies tool devised by JBI. The data were assessed qualitatively using the Synthesis Without Metanalysis (SWiM) guidelines. After removing the duplicate articles, carefully analyzing the titles and abstracts, and reading the papers in full, seven studies were included. Four of the studies evaluated applied the cold sensitivity test, two associated pulse oximetry and cold sensitivity, and only one used just pulse oximetry. Evaluation using the cold sensitivity test and pulse oximetry in the initial periods before radiotherapy showed a decrease in the sensitive response and in SpO2 levels during a maximum period of 1 year. However, analyses thereafter indicated a normal response in both tests from 5 to 6 years after the end of radiotherapy treatment. Radiotherapy causes changes in pulp behavior patterns in the short term; however, recovery and return to average values occurs after long periods.

Assessment of Pulpal Oxygen Saturation in Caries-free and Carious Maxillary Primary Central Incisors Using a Customized Dental Pulse Oximeter

Introduction

Pulpal status is best determined by assessing the pulp vitality, which proves to be important yet sceptical with the use of conventional thermal and electrical testing methods. The use of pulse oximetry helps to arrive at a definitive diagnosis by detecting the pulpal oxygen saturation.

Aim

To assess and compare the pulpal oxygen saturation in caries-free and carious maxillary primary central incisors using a customized dental pulse oximeter sensor probe.

Materials and methods

A total of 225 maxillary primary central incisors were selected from children aged 3-6 years. Teeth were categorized into group I-caries-free teeth, group II-deep caries lesion, and group III-pulpectomized teeth (n =75 in each group). Pulpal oxygen levels were assessed using a three-dimensionally (3D) designed custom-made probe, and the readings were tabulated. The values were subjected to statistical analysis using paired t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey's HSD post hoc test.

Results

The mean oxygen saturation levels of teeth in group I (92.03%) were statistically significantly high compared to group II (64.36%), that was statistically significant. Readings noted from group III, which was kept as control, was 0%.

Conclusion

The obtained results showed that the caries-free group exhibited higher saturation compared to the carious group. 3D designed customized pulse oximeter can be used as an adjunct to assess the pulp vitality in primary teeth.

How to cite this article

Kanumuru KR, Solomon N, Ramkumar H, et al. Assessment of Pulpal Oxygen Saturation in Caries-free and Carious Maxillary Primary Central Incisors using a Customized Dental Pulse Oximeter. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(4):560-564.

Age-Related Variation of Pulpal Oxygen Saturation in Healthy Primary and Permanent Teeth in Children: A Clinical Study

(1) Background: Pulse oximetry (PO) is an effective method of dental pulp status monitorization but still lacks practical implementation in dentistry, as well as clear reference values for different tooth types. The study’s aim was to investigate the age-related variation of blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) from the dental pulp during different stages of tooth development in all types of primary and permanent teeth of children. (2) Methods: The pulps of 600 healthy primary and permanent teeth (incisors, canines, premolars, and molars) of patients aged 2−15 years were tested with an adapted PO device, and the results were statistically analyzed; (3) Results: Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between open-apex and closed-apex teeth and between the canines and other tooth types in both primary and permanent dentitions. (4) Conclusions: Values of SpO2 tended to decrease with age progression in both primary and permanent dentitions. Enamel and dentine thickness and their optical properties and the shape and volume of coronal pulp, which differed among tooth types, seemed to have some influence on the reading as well. The study indicates that factors such as the root development and the tooth type must be taken into account when establishing reference SpO2 values for the dental pulp.

Effect of dental tissue thickness on the measurement of oxygen saturation by two different pulse oximeters

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different dental tissue thickness on the measurement of oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels in high (HP) and low (LP) blood perfusion by comparing the values obtained from two different pulse oximeters (POs) - BCI and Sense 10. Thirty freshly extracted human teeth had their crowns interposed between the POs and an optical simulator, which emulated the SpO2 and heart beats per minute (bpm) at HP (100% SpO2/75 bpm) and LP (86% SpO2/75 bpm) modes. Afterwards, the palatine/lingual surfaces of the dental crowns were worn with diamond drills. The reading of SpO2 was performed again using the POs alternately through the buccal surface of each dental crown. Data were analyzed by the Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney and Kendall Tau-b tests (α=5%). The results showed significant difference at the HP and LP modes in the SpO2 readouts through the different dental thicknesses with the use of BCI, and at the LP mode with the use of Sense 10, which had a significant linear correlation (p<0.0001) and lower SpO2 readout values in relation to the increase of the dental thickness. Irrespective of tooth thickness, Sense 10 had significantly higher readout values (p<0.0001) than BCI at both perfusion modes. The interposition of different thicknesses of enamel and dentin influenced the POs measurement of SpO2, specially at the low perfusion mode. The POs were more accurate in SpO2 measurement when simulated perfusion levels were higher.

Efficacy assessment of laser Doppler imager in diagnosing the pulp vitality after dental trauma

Background/purpose

This is the first paper evaluating the efficacy of laser Doppler imager in diagnosis of pulpal vitality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the diagnostic benefits of laser Doppler imaging and electric pulp test (EPT) in dental trauma.

Materials and methods

Seven patients were selected for pulp vitality evaluation in Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital between 2018 and 2019. EPT and laser Doppler imager evaluation were performed for patients with traumatic injury to teeth. Statistical methods included the Kappa consistency test and the chi-square test. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the area under the curve (AUC) were used.

Results

There was a significant difference in Doppler flow values between the severe trauma group and the mild trauma group, regardless of patient self-reported symptoms (P = 0.043) or physicians' diagnostic classification (P = 0.018). For an EPT instrument, the Kappa coefficient was 0.67 and 1-year pulpal status findings were highly consistent (P < 0.001). Using a Doppler instrument, the Kappa coefficient was 0.85. According to the ROC curve, the AUC for EPT was 0.94, the AUC for Doppler was 1, and the optimal cut-off value was 31.55, indicating that both were superior diagnostic tools.

Conclusion

Both laser Doppler imager and EPT can be used as tools for diagnosing traumatic pulp necrosis. Doppler imaging instruments allow for a more timely and accurate assessment of pulp vitality in dental trauma. In the future, ongoing research and related training are necessary for interpretation of Doppler data.

A Diagnostic Insight of Dental Pulp Testing Methods in Pediatric Dentistry

The accurate diagnosis of pulpal pathology in pediatric dentistry is essential for the success of vital pulp therapy. Pulp testing is often a challenging task due to understanding and cooperation issues of pediatric patients, as well as the particularities of pulpal physiology encountered in primary and immature permanent teeth. Sensibility tests, although still widely used by dental practitioners, are no longer recommended by pediatric specialists mainly due to their subjective nature. Vitality pulp tests have gained popularity in the last decade in light of some encouraging results of clinical studies. However, their use is not a routine practice yet. This paper is a literature review aimed to guide dental practitioners towards selecting the appropriate pulp testing method for their pediatric cases. It provides an overview on a multitude of pulp testing methods and an update in recommendations for primary and immature permanent teeth.

Evaluation of the Pulp Oxygen Saturation Reading after Tooth Bleaching: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives

The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the influence of in-office dental bleaching on the pulp oxygen saturation (SpO₂p) reading. Material and Methods. SpO₂p was measured using a pulse oximeter in 112 upper and lower anterior teeth (canines and incisors) of patients submitted to bleaching. Whitegold Office 35% (WGO) (upper and lower left hemiarch) and Whiteness HP Auto Mixx 35% (WHP) (upper and lower right hemiarch) bleaching agents were used. SpO₂ measurements (teeth and index finger) were taken before and after each of the three application sessions of the agents. In the 4^th session, in which no bleaching gel was used, only SpO₂ was measured. Before and after the bleaching sessions, a colorimetric device performed the teeth color reading. The waiting time between sessions was 7 days. Data were analyzed by the Friedman, Kruskal–Wallis, and Mann–Whitney U tests (α = 0.05). Color change (ΔE) data were correlated (Spearman's Rho test) with the SpO₂p levels.

Results

Neither of the two bleaching agents showed significant differences between the readings when evaluated individually (WGO, P=0.780, and WHP, P=0.494). When taken together, the results showed significant difference between the readings performed, with higher median values after bleaching sessions: before (97.3) and after (98.6) 1^st session; before (98.3) and after (98.3) 2^nd session; before (98.3) and after (99.0) 3^rd session; and after 1 week (98.3). The dental groups formed by maxillary lateral incisors (P=0.012) and mandibular incisors (P < 0.001) showed a significant difference. Spearman's Rho test showed a nonsignificant and weak correlation between ΔE and SpO₂p in most comparisons.

Conclusions

The in-office dental bleaching influenced the SpO₂p reading, regardless of the dental group evaluated or the bleaching agent used. Clinical Relevance. This study provides information about the influence of in-office tooth whitening on the pulp SpO₂p levels. The observation of pulp vitality during and after the use of bleaching agents is important for the follow-up of patients undergoing tooth whitening. The use of a pulse oximeter may be a viable and painless alternative to perform this monitoring. The clinical trial was registered with the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC; registration number: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/RBR-68xbth).

Effects of Local Anesthetics With Vasoconstrictors on Dental Pulp Blood Flow and Oxygen Tension

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in pulpal blood flow (PBF) and pulpal oxygen tension (PpulpO2) after injecting local anesthetics with vasoconstrictors.

METHODS

Under general anesthesia, male Japanese White rabbits were injected with 0.6 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 epinephrine (LE) or 3% propitocaine (prilocaine) with 0.03 IU felypressin (PF) at the apical area of the lower incisor.

RESULTS

Relative to baseline, PBF and PpulpO2 significantly decreased 5 minutes after LE or PF injection as compared with saline. The decrease in PBF was significantly lower in the LE group than in the PF group. Although the LE group had a larger decrease in PpulpO2 relative to baseline than the PF group did, that difference was not significant. PBF and PpulpO2 recovered to baseline faster in the PF group than in the LE group.

CONCLUSION

The injection of local anesthetic solutions containing vasoconstrictors (LE or PF) transiently caused significant decreases in PBF that resulted in significant decreases in PpulpO2. The recovery of PpulpO2 was faster than PBF regardless of the vasoconstrictor used.

Laser-Doppler microvascular flow of dental pulp in relation to caries progression

Pulpal blood supply can be measured noninvasively and objectively via laser-Doppler fluxmetry. The aim of the study was to measure and compare pulpal laser-Doppler (LD) flux values for permanent non-carious teeth and carious teeth with different degrees of caries progression. Conventional sensitivity tests were also conducted for a comparative analysis to clarify the difference between tooth sensitivity and vitality. Carious lesions were detected and assessed in 15 adult subjects using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) criteria. Pulpal sensitivity of selected carious teeth (without previous prosthetic restoration or endodontic treatment) and suitable caries-free teeth were then tested with a cold stimulus and subsequently with a weak electric current, whereas their pulpal LD flux was recorded at a separate visit using individually designed silicone probe holders. The LD flux values for teeth with an ICDAS score 6 were significantly lower compared to the values for teeth with an ICDAS score 1 (p < 0.05). Pulpal LD flux values of teeth with active caries were significantly lower than those of teeth with solely inactive carious lesions (p < 0.05). The degree of agreement between sensitivity and vitality testing was fair within both of the pairs: cold test/LDF (κk = 0.232, p = 0.00) and electric test/LDF (κk = 0.354, p = 0.00). Pulpal LD flux measurement proved to be reliable in the pulp vitality assessment of carious and non-carious teeth and might improve the reliability of clinical decisions when used in addition to standard clinical diagnostic protocols.

Clinical comparison of sensitivity and specificity between sensibility and vitality tests in determining the pulp vitality of mandibular premolars

This clinical study was designed to compare cold pulp testing (CPT), heat pulp testing (HPT) and electric pulp test (EPT) with pulse oximetry (PO), flowmetry (FM) and thermometry (TM) in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Twenty premolar teeth in need of root canal treatment were included in the study. Pulp sensibility tests (CPT, HPT and EPT) along with vitality tests (PO, FM and TM) were performed. As the gold standard, the teeth were endodontically treated and pulp vitality was determined by direct visual observation. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values for each test were as follows: HPT 1, 1, 100%; CPT 1, 0.818, 90%; EPT 1, 0.909, 95%; PO 1, 0.545, 75%; TM 0.111, 0.272, 20%; and FM 0.444, 0.272, 35%, respectively. The most accurate test among all was HPT. PO was the most accurate vitality test.

Pulse Oximetry as a Diagnostic Tool to Determine Pulp Vitality: A Systematic Review

Pulse oximetry (PO) can be used as a technique to assess vascularization. Although it is commonly used in the field of medicine, it still has limited use in dentistry. The aim of this study is to evaluate, by means of a systematic review, if pulse oximetry is a viable and effective system to determine pulp vitality and assess the clinical criteria for its use. A literature search was performed in Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Clinical studies using pulse oximetry as a tool to determine pulp vitality in permanent teeth were eligible. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed following the Quality Assessment for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) guidelines. A total of 24 articles were included in the review. The subjective test most compared to PO was the cold test. PO has shown a good sensibility and specificity, and it has been used in different clinical situations. Pulse oximetry has a high potential as a tool for the diagnosis of pulp vitality. However, the absence of a specific pulse oximeter for a dental practice, among other limitations, added to the lack of evidence on how different systemic and oral pathologies may affect the pulp’s oxygen saturation levels, which hinders its clinical use.

Efficiency of new custom-made pulse oximeter sensor holder in assessment of actual pulp status

Aim

This study aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of new custom-made pulse oximeter sensor holder in assessment of actual pulp status with three pulp sensibility tests.

Materials and Methods

Seventy-nine single canal teeth requiring endodontic therapy was included in the study. The tooth that was requiring root canal treatment was tested with heat test, cold test, electric pulp test, and pulse oximeter. Between each test, a time period of 2 min was allowed. The response from three pulp sensibility tests and the reading from pulse oximeter were recorded. Following which root canal treatment was performed. The result obtained from four pulp tests were correlated with the clinical finding after access cavity preparation. The data obtained was statistically assessed. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the efficacy of the pulp tests. In the above statistical tools, the probability value. 05 is considered as significant level.

Results

The overall diagnostic accuracy was found to be significantly higher with pulse oximeter when compared with other three pulp sensibility tests. The ROC curve demonstrates the results obtained from pulse oximeter was found to be more reliable than other pulp tests.

Conclusion

Within the limitation of the study, diagnostic accuracy of pulse oximeter with custom made sensor holder was reliable and accurate in assessment of actual pulp status.

Evaluation and Diagnosis of the Traumatized Dentition

Traumatic dental injuries comprise a number of the dental emergency patients who are often seen after hours or on an unscheduled basis in a dental practice environment. Although there are a variety of traumatic dental injuries that can occur, each with their own recommended treatment protocols, the initial evaluation and diagnosis of the traumatized dentition make up a critical aspect of the management of these cases. This article will highlight the key components of a thorough and efficient examination process of the traumatized dentition to include (1) documenting an accurate history of the events causing the injury, (2) performing a systematic clinical examination to include the use of clinical photographs and pulp sensibility tests, (3) obtaining appropriate radiographic images and scans, (4) understanding some considerations unique to evaluating young patients with traumatic injuries, and (5) recognizing the importance of having accurate and thorough documentation of these types of cases. Once the evaluation and diagnosis phase has been completed, the necessary treatment protocols can be initiated in an appropriate manner.

Effect of At-Home Bleaching on Oxygen Saturation Levels in the Dental Pulp of Maxillary Central Incisors

The present study assessed oxygen saturation (SaO2) levels before, during, and after at-home bleaching treatment in the pulps of healthy maxillary central incisors. SaO2 levels were measured in 136 healthy maxillary central incisors using a pulse oximeter. The bleaching protocol consisted of 10% carbamide peroxide gel placed in individual trays and used for four hours daily for 14 days. SaO2 levels were assessed before bleaching (T0), immediately after the first session (T1), on the 7th day of treatment (T2), on the 15th day (the day following the last session) (T3), and 30 days after completion of the bleaching protocol (T4). Data were statistically analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE), Student's t test (p<0.05) and Pearson's correlation. Mean pulp SaO2 levels were 85.1% at T0, 84.9% at T1, 84.7% at T2, 84.3% at T3, and 85.0% at T4. Gradual reductions in SaO2 levels were observed, with significant differences (p<0.001) during the course of home bleaching treatment. However, 30 days after the end of the bleaching protocol, SaO2 levels returned to baseline levels. Home bleaching caused a reversible transient decrease in SaO2 levels in the pulps.

Pulp necrosis and crown discoloration: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The association between pulp necrosis and crown discoloration in traumatized primary teeth has not been clearly determined yet.

AIM

The study verified whether there is an association of pulp necrosis and crown discoloration in traumatized primary teeth through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Lilacs/BBO, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library databases, and grey literature. A methodological quality assessment appraisal was independently conducted by two researchers. Random-effects models were employed, and heterogeneity was tested (I2 index/P ≤ 0.05).

RESULTS

Eight studies with low risk of bias were included in the analysis. A total of 1,494 traumatized primary teeth participated in the pooled meta-analysis. Diagnosis of pulp necrosis was evaluated in 1,414 teeth through clinical and/or radiographic analyses, and the analysis demonstrated a positive association (P = 0.0005/OR 8.37 [2.51, 27.90], I2  = 87%). Eighty teeth were diagnosed with pulp necrosis through endodontic access, and there was no statistically significant association (P = 0.36/OR 2.46 [0.36, 16.94], I2  = 54%). The pooled meta-analysis showed a positive association (P = 0.0003/OR 5.93 [2.24, 15.72], I2  = 83%).

CONCLUSION

The positive association between pulp necrosis and crown discoloration should be considered with caution once the diagnosis of pulp necrosis was performed by limited criteria.