Evaluation of a Custom Made Pulse Oximeter Dental Probe in Detecting Pulp Vitality: A Clinical study

The aim of the study was to design and develop a probe that adapts to the contour of the permanent central incisor and to evaluate its efficiency in detecting the vascular integrity of human teeth and to compare it with the electric pulp tester. The newly designed probe was able to adapt to the contour of the central incisor and was stable in its position without the operator holding it. It was used to evaluate pulp vascularity on 185 subjects of which 175 subjects were in the study group and 10 in the control group. The result obtained was also compared with the results of the electric pulp tester. The conclusions derived from the results of this study are: 1. The newly developed probe and the NONIN hand held pulse oximeter were able to detect the blood flow in the tooth of the study group and recorded values which were lower than the finger readings. 2. Oxygen saturation values of the tooth compared to the Oxygen saturation values of the finger was statistically significant with a p value of 0.016. 3. Oxygen saturation values of the tooth compared to the electric pulp tester values was statistically significant was with a p value of 0.045. Consistent pulse oximetry readings detected by the newly developed probe in this study have confirmed the pulsatile blood flow and its oxygen saturation in tooth. Moreover this study shows that pulse oximetry is an effective, objective and a non- invasive method for the clinician to determine pulp vitality of the permanent incisors. It can also be used in primary and immature permanent teeth where patient co -operation and incomplete pulp innervations reduces the effectiveness and reliability of thermal and electric pulp testers. Further study in the probe design which could be used universally for all teeth is in progress and its success will be a boon for the diagnosis of pulp vitality