Vitality tests of the tooth pulp using laser Doppler flowmetry
Raab, W.H.; Reithmayer, K.; Grund, P.
Deutsche Zahnarztliche Zeitschrift 45(11): 725-727
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-1029 PMID: 2269092 Document Number: 362811
Laser-Doppler flowmetry allows a non-invasive assessment of the microcirculation in circumscribed tissue areas. However, measurements in intact human teeth prove to be extensive, as far as instrumental equipment and time requirements are concerned. Therefore we developed an application system which allows us to transfer the principle of measurement under clinical conditions. Thus we were able to prove that the signal recorded can be regarded as a specific expression of pulpal microcirculation. A comparison between vital teeth and root-filled teeth shows that the signal to noise ratio is sufficiently high to allow a definite assessment of pulp vitality.