Pulpal blood flow in vital and nonvital young permanent teeth measured by transmitted-light phtoplethysmography: a pilot study

Resident: Roberts

Date: 10/27/10

Article title: Pulpal blood flow in vital and nonvital young permanent teeth measured by transmitted-light phtoplethysmography: a pilot study

Author: Miwa, Zenzo

Journal: Pediatric Dentistry

Volume:24:6

Year: 2002

Discussion

Transmitted light Photoplethysography(TLP) is a non-invasive technique used to monitor PBF, and has been applied in various circumstances for the testing of cats, dogs, and other animals( including humans- adult teeth that are fully mature). In this study, 26 healthy and 7 nonvital upper maxillary incisors in 17 children(ages 7 - 14) were examined. Recordings revealed that pulse waves from a TLP were synchronous with those from a Finger photopethysmography(FPP) when evaluating vital and healthy teeth, whereas no pulse signals were recognized in nonvital teeth. Also, in healthy teeth there was a significant correlation between the TLP pulse amplitude and that o the patients age.

Conclusion: TLP can detect pulpal blood flow in young permanent teeth. This technique is considered to be applicable in the assessment of pulp vitality.

Assessment: This is the first that I have ever heard of a study of this kind. I think that its interesting but have a hard time seeing this as common practice in dentistry in the near future