Assessment of Pulpal Oxygen Saturation in Caries-free and Carious Maxillary Primary Central Incisors Using a Customized Dental Pulse Oximeter

INTRODUCTION: Pulpal status is best determined by assessing the pulp vitality, which proves to be important yet sceptical with the use of conventional thermal and electrical testing methods. The use of pulse oximetry helps to arrive at a definitive diagnosis by detecting the pulpal oxygen saturation. AIM: To assess and compare the pulpal oxygen saturation in caries-free and carious maxillary primary central incisors using a customized dental pulse oximeter sensor probe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 225 maxillary primary central incisors were selected from children aged 3–6 years. Teeth were categorized into group I—caries-free teeth, group II—deep caries lesion, and group III—pulpectomized teeth (n =75 in each group). Pulpal oxygen levels were assessed using a three-dimensionally (3D) designed custom-made probe, and the readings were tabulated. The values were subjected to statistical analysis using paired t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey's HSD post hoc test. RESULTS: The mean oxygen saturation levels of teeth in group I (92.03%) were statistically significantly high compared to group II (64.36%), that was statistically significant. Readings noted from group III, which was kept as control, was 0%. CONCLUSION: The obtained results showed that the caries-free group exhibited higher saturation compared to the carious group. 3D designed customized pulse oximeter can be used as an adjunct to assess the pulp vitality in primary teeth. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Kanumuru KR, Solomon N, Ramkumar H, et al. Assessment of Pulpal Oxygen Saturation in Caries-free and Carious Maxillary Primary Central Incisors using a Customized Dental Pulse Oximeter. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(4):560–564.