title: Optical determination of dental pulp vitality.
abstract: In this preliminary study, we explored the feasibility of employing photoplethysmography and pulse oximetry to assess the status of the blood circulation in the dental pulp. A simple photometer that measures diffuse light transmission at 575 nm was built to record tooth plethysmograms, and the ability to distinguish vital from surgically devitalized teeth of a dog using plethysmography was demonstrated. As an extension of the photoplethysmographic technique, red-infrared pulse oximetry applied to the measurement of the oxygen saturation (SO2) of blood in the pulp was also examined using an in vitro test setup. Results suggest that the measurement of relative SO2 changes is feasible, but standard dual-wavelength pulse oximetry does not enable determination of SO2 independent of tooth geometry and sensor placement.
authors.affiliation: National Institutes of Health, Division of Research Services, Biomedical Engineering and Instrumentation Branch, Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Webber
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000098:blood supply; D003791:Dental Pulp Test; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010783:Photometry; D010991:Plethysmography / Q000379:methods*; D011673:Pulsatile Flow
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen