The use of laser Doppler flowmetry in the diagnosis of pulp vitality of traumatized permanent teeth

An early determination of pulpal vitality is crucial with respect to a correct differential diagnosis of revascularisation or necrosis and its treatment. The use of sensibility tests (cold, heat, electrical pulp test) in combination with X-ray is commonly promoted. However, these tests are arbitrary, based on sensations and therefore not always reliable. In such situation registration of pulpal blood flow will be more than an added value. The most studied and well documented method for registration of pulpal blood flow is laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), a non-invasive technique with direct and objective registrations. In the introduction pulpal blood flow, LDF and its characteristics are described. Also this method’s advantages and disadvantages, and recent developments regarding LDF are mentioned. The overall objective of this PhD thesis was to evaluate the added value of Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) for assessment of pulp vitality in cases with dental trauma; (1) evaluation of reliability of the measuring method ; (2) evaluation of the reproducibility of the measuring method; (3) evaluation of data processing and interpretation techniques as recommended by LDF hardware and software manufacturers. With these specific aims in mind, the final aim is to demonstrate the added value for pulp diagnosis and registration of true blood flow keeping in mind that conventional tests only do score sensitivity. This resulted in an evaluation of the use of LDF in clinical trauma cases.

Jaar van publicatie:2019

Toegankelijkheid:Closed