Efficacy of Laser Doppler Flowmetry, as a Diagnostic Tool in Assessing Pulp Vitality of Traumatised Teeth: A Split Mouth Clinical Study

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) in determining the changes in the pulpal blood flow (PBF) during post-traumatic period of the traumatised permanent teeth. Methods: 88 teeth of 44 patients (mean age 10.30 ± 2.38) were recruited according to the eligibility criteria and divided into two groups: test group (44 traumatised teeth) and control group (44 sound and healthy teeth). The measurement of PBF was performed, using a LDF monitor. Results: The analysis of the LDF outcomes in function of diagnosis indicated that the measurements of the traumatised teeth were significantly higher than those of non-traumatised teeth (p ˂ 0.05). Conclusions: LDF application provides dentists with fundamental benefits in terms of an early and precise investigation of PBF. In addition, LDF is a useful monitoring tool for revascularization of traumatised teeth and reliable objective diagnostic indicator of pulp vitality. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (Registration number: NCT04967456).

Assessment of Pulpal Status in Primary Teeth Following Direct Pulp Capping in an Experimental Canine Model

“…On the other hand, some studies found LDF to be an accurate vitality testing method to assess the pulpal vascularity changes of human primary teeth [ 35 ], while others reported the opposite [ 37 ]. Moreover, the LDF procedure is a lengthy and more sensitive technique compared to conventional pulp vitality tests [ 9 , 38 ], which makes it improper for routine use in children; however, it is reserved for research purposes and particular clinical situations such as trauma to the anterior teeth [ 39 ] or “dens invaginatus” [ 40 ]. In our study, LDF testing was limited to T0 and T1 (tests at T2 and T3 are not completed) due to the rapid growth of the canine specimens in the two-week time span of the study, which negatively impacted the adaptation of the stabilizing silicone impression.…”

Research progress and clinical application of laser Doppler blood flow measurement technology

“…Gazelius et al [29] first used LDPM to measure blood flow in dental pulp tissue and assess the physiological status of the pulp. Belcheva et al [30], to monitor changes in pulp blood flow (PBF) after permanent tooth trauma, randomly divided 88 teeth from 44 patients into an experimental group (44 traumatized teeth) and a control group (44 healthy teeth). They used LDF to measure PBF values in both groups.…”

A Diagnostic Insight of Dental Pulp Testing Methods in Pediatric Dentistry

“…Furthermore, there are conflicting results reported in the literature. In a study on traumatized teeth, Belcheva et al concluded that LDF is a useful monitoring tool for the revascularization of traumatized teeth and a reliable objective diagnostic indicator of pulp vitality [ 54 ]. A case report revealed the successful follow-up of pulpal status using LDF and EPT after vital pulp therapy performed in a dens invaginatus [ 55 ].…”