Assessment of pulp blood flow in primary and permanent teeth using pulse oximetry.

Pulse oximetry (PO) is a well-accepted non-invasive method for assessing vascular health, based on oxygen saturation (SaO(2) ) measurements. The objectives of this study were to design and build a custom-made PO dental sensor holder, to evaluate the effectiveness of PO in determining pulp blood flow in primary and permanent teeth, and to compare the SaO(2) levels obtained in teeth and on the little finger of patients. The PO sensor adapted to the custom-made sensor holder is termed as a device to position and hold the PO sensor. This study evaluated SaO(2) readings obtained in the pulp of 123 teeth of 84 children aged 4-13years. The teeth were divided into three groups: group I - primary teeth: 23 central incisors and 28 canines; group II - permanent teeth: 25 central incisors and 28 canines; and group III - endodontically treated teeth (control): 12 permanent central incisors and seven primary central incisors. The pulp blood flow and SaO(2) were measured and were compared with readings of the patient's finger. Data were analyzed by paired t-tests and Pearson's analysis method. The PO was able to identify all the clinically normal pulps contained in the sample, and all the endodontically treated teeth (controls) showed no response. The mean SaO(2) values were 85.27% in the teeth and 92.85% in the fingers. In conclusion, PO readings were effective in determining pulp blood flow in primary and permanent teeth. However, there was no correlation between the SaO(2) values in the fingers and in the teeth of the patients (P<0.05).

Ex vivo study of manual and rotary instrumentation techniques in human primary teeth.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate, ex vivo, time and dentin removal by manual and rotary instrumentation in human primary teeth. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty primary teeth were divided into 2 groups, embedded in resin, and sectioned for evaluation before and after instrumentation. For manual technique, teeth were prepared using K-type files and rotary preparation was performed with Hero 642. All root canals were prepared up to size 40, and the instrumentation time was recorded. Dentin removal was calculated using digital image software. Data was statistically analyzed using chi-squared, Mann-Whitney, and t tests. RESULTS: Manual instrumentation removed more dentin in all groups compared with rotary instrumentation (P < .05). In some specimens, root perforations were observed in areas coinciding with largest root resorption. Rotary technique showed the shortest instrumentation time (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Deciduous teeth, without significant root resorption, have enough root structure for instrumentation up to size 40. Rotary technique required less time and generated less dentin removal.