The technology of pulse oximetry has allowed significant advances in the medical field yet its use in dentistry has been virtually unexplored. This study investigates the potential of the pulse oximeter to detect vascular integrity within the human tooth. Forty-nine young adults were evaluated for the vitality of their maxillary central incisors utilizing thermal, electrical, and oximetric techniques. The pulse oximeter was found to indicate a pulse rate and oxygen saturation reading for the vital teeth and no readings for the teeth previously endodontically treated. The accuracy of this diagnostic method supports the need for additional study in the use of the pulse oximeter to interpret the pathological processes of the pulp.
[1]
J. Hulka,et al.
Pulse oximetry: a review of the theory, accuracy, and clinical applications.
,
1989,
Obstetrics and gynecology.
[2]
J B Gross,et al.
Principles of Pulse Oximetry: Theoretical and Practical Considerations
,
1989,
Anesthesia and analgesia.
[3]
S. Seltzer,et al.
Alteration of human pain thresholds by nutritional manipulation and l-tryptophan supplementation
,
1982,
PAIN®.
[4]
R. Pelzner,et al.
Rationalization of electric pulp-testing methods.
,
1977,
Oral surgery, oral medicine, and oral pathology.
[5]
H. Harnisch.
Apicoectomy in dens in dente.
,
1970,
Quintessence international.