Assessment of Pulp Oxygen Saturation Levels by Pulse Oximetry for Pulpal Diseases –A Diagnostic Study

Abstract

Introduction: Diagnosis of pulpal inflammation is a key to endodontics. Pulse oximetry is a true vitality testing device which relies on oxygen saturation levels of pulp and helps in diagnosis of different pulpal conditions. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyse oxygen saturation levels of different pulpally inflamed teeth by using pulse oximetry. Materials and Methods: Hundred patients were included in the study and categorized into five groups based on pulpal status of the test tooth by using heat test and cold test. Twenty patients were recruited in each of the experimental groups i.e., Reversible Pulpitis (RP), Irreversible Pulpitis (IP), Pulpal Necrosis (PN), Positive Control (PC, healthy teeth), and Negative Control (NC, endodontically treated teeth). Oxygen saturation levels of all the groups were measured along with each patient index finger oxygen saturation readings. Results were analysed by using ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. Results: The mean oxygen saturation levels of RP, IP, PN, PC and NC were 85.4%, 81.6%, 70.7%, 94.6% and 0 respectively. There was significant difference in the oxygen saturation levels between all the groups. Conclusion: Pulse oximeter is an effective tool in diagnosing different pulpal pathologies especially PN which was interpreted inaccurately by thermal tests.

Keywords

• dental pulp necrosis
• pulpitis
• true vitality