Pulse Oximetry: A New Tool in Pulpal Vitality Testing

Over the years, the thermal and electrical tests have been considered to be a suitable means of assessing thevascularity and vitality of the tooth pulp. Pulse oximetry is an effective, objective, oxygen saturation monitoring techniquebroadly used in medicine for recording blood oxygen saturation levels. It can also be used in endodontics for differentialdiagnosis of vital pulps and necrotic ones. However, there are some limitations inherent in the technology of pulseoximetry, such as the effect of increased acidity and metabolic rate, which causes deoxygenating of hemoglobin andchanges in blood oxygen saturation, also movements of the body or probe can complicate readings. This test produces nonoxious stimuli, therefore, apprehensive or distressed patients may accept it more readily than routine methods. A reviewof the literature and a discussion of the potential application of this system in endodontics is presented.