Detection of the pulpal blood flow in primary teeth by laser Doppler flowmeter

In this study, pulpal blood flow (PBF) of human primary teeth was measured using laser Doppler flowmeter (LDF) and efficacy of opaque rubber dam application was examined. Twenty-two healthy and 3 non-vital upper primary central incisors in 13 children (age: 3 years 11 months-7 years 3 months) were examined. Recordings were made with and without opaque rubber dam application. Electrocardiogram (ECG) of the subjects was simultaneously recorded. Results obtained were as follows: 1) With dam application, pulsatile signals synchronous with ECG were recorded from all the healthy teeth, whereas no pulsatile signals were recognized in non-vital teeth. 2) Without dam application, pulsatile signals synchronous with ECG were recorded from all the healthy teeth and non-vital teeth. 3) The amplitude of blood flow signal was significantly reduced by the opaque dam application. Results indicated that PBF measurement using LDF with dam application in human primary central incisors was applicable for pulp vitality assessment.