Does irradiation of the tooth structure interfere with oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry?—An ex vivo laboratorial study

Abstract

The effect of tooth structure subjected to ionising radiation on oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) measured by pulse oximetry was investigated. Fifty‐four extracted human third molars were sectioned mesiodistally. Pulse oximeter diodes were placed in prefabricated silicone moulds, secured on a vise with tooth surfaces placed between the diodes and the participant's finger, and SpO2 levels were measured. After that, the tooth surfaces were subjected to ionising radiation in fractionated doses of up to 70 Gy, and SpO2 was measured according to the protocol described. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used for the analysis of normality of the quantitative variables, and Student's t‐test compared mean SpO2 levels before and after irradiation. Mean SpO2 after irradiation was 94.6 ± 0.9%, without a statistically significant difference from SpO2 before irradiation, which was 94.7 ± 0.6%. Irradiation of the tooth structure did not interfere with SpO2 levels measured by pulse oximetry.