THE USE OF LASER DOPPLER FLOWMETER FOR PULP VITALITY TEST

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Journal of the Korean Academy of Pediatric Dentistry 1998;25(3):562-568.
Published online August 31, 1998.

THE USE OF LASER DOPPLER FLOWMETER FOR PULP VITALITY TEST

치수생활력 검사를 위한 Laser Doppler Flowmeter의 이용

서완종, 김현정, 남순현, 김영진

경북대학교 치과대학 소아치과학 교실

Abstract

Various diagnostic methods, such as electric pulp test, cold test, test cavity etc., have been used to determine the pulp vitality. At least two or more methods should be used with supplemental information to diagnose each case because using one method doesn't provide sufficient accuracy. These conventional methods have depended on nervous responses, but Laser Doppler Flowmeter determines the pulp vitality by measuring pulpal blood flow. In this case, we tested the vitality of the traumatized teeth with incomplete root apices and autotransplanted teeth with conventional methods and Laser Doppler Flowmeter. Conventional methods, such as electric pulp test and cold test can produce various responses according to the development state of the pulpal nerve and the sensory threshold of the patient. But, Laser Doppler Flowmeter has a lower false response rate than any other pulp vitality test methods and it can determine the vitality somewhat earlier than the other method.

Key Words: Autotransplanted teeth, Laser Doppler Flowmeter, pulp vitality test, traumatized teeth