• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.310-316
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• 1999

In the traumatized teeth, the major complications are pulp necrosis, and root resorption. The factors influencing to prognosis are the state of root development, type of injuries, quality of fixation. There are good prognosis in the case of immature teeth, minor luxation injuries. To minimize of occurrence of these complication, it is very important to determine the pulp vitality. This can help us decide whether or not to treat the teeth endodontically. But, it is difficult to determine of pulp vitality in immature teeth or traumatized teeth. In this case, pulp vitality test was done periodically on the traumatized upper central incisors, and the results were different among cold test, electric pulp test, and laser Doppler flowmetry. The conclusions were obtained from this case can be summarized as follows; 1. Pulp vitality of traumatized teeth should be negative early, but with time going, pulp vitality could be recovered. 2. The positive response of pulp vitality test was detected earlier in laser Doppler flowmetry. 3. Between cold test and electric pulp test, cold test was more reliable in determining pulp vitality.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.562-568
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• 1998

Various diagnostic methods, such as electric pulp test, cold test, test cavity etc., have been used to determine the pulp vitality. At least two or more methods should be used with supplemental information to diagnose each case because using one method doesn't provide sufficient accuracy. These conventional methods have depended on nervous responses, but Laser Doppler Flowmeter determines the pulp vitality by measuring pulpal blood flow. In this case, we tested the vitality of the traumatized teeth with incomplete root apices and autotransplanted teeth with conventional methods and Laser Doppler Flowmeter. Conventional methods, such as electric pulp test and cold test can produce various responses according to the development state of the pulpal nerve and the sensory threshold of the patient. But, Laser Doppler Flowmeter has a lower false response rate than any other pulp vitality test methods and it can determine the vitality somewhat earlier than the other method.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.61 no.8
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• pp.1204-1209
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• 2012

To diagnose dental pulp vitality, electric pulp tester has been widely used, which is a method to test condition of nerve. However, especially in the case of patients with trauma, nerve desensitization could temporarily occur even though nerve might be recovered by blood flow within the pulp later, which implies that blood flow in dental pulp is also an important factor for diagnosing vitality. This paper described the development of a probe that relatively measured blood flow in dental pulp using photoplethysmography (PPG). The probe emits four different wavelength light sources including three visible and an infrared light. We tested which light source detect sensitively the blood flow in dental pulp. As a result, green light had the largest peak to peak voltage and the power spectrum among different wavelengths.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.296-299
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• 1998

After orthognathic surgery, postoperative complications are studied by many clinician. The complications include sensory disturbance, jaw fracture, excessive bleeding, condylar positional changes and loss of pulp vitality. Few surgical procedures are as satisfying for the surgeon and patient as a well-done orthognathic surgery. On the other hand, the patient is more satisfied with the result than who are treated with only orthodontic treatment especially in severe deformity case. There are problems that patient overcome but it is not serious complications. One of these, the problem about loss of pulp vitality can't influence function but give a lot of discomfort to the patient. From September 1997 to January 1998, 7 patients who are treated for dentofacial deformity via Le Fort I osteotomy or anterior segmental osteotomy were examined pulp sensitivity using digital pulp tester. This preliminary study have a focus on the investigation of recovery of pulp vitality. The electric pulpal test were used at preoperative, postoperative, at intervals. And we report some results acquired from this study. Follwing result are obtained 1. In anterior segmental ostetomy case (1 case), total 12 teeth were examined. Postoperative 8 weeks, 1 tooth are positive reaction 2. In Le Fort I osteotomy case (6 case), total 71 teeth were examined. Postoperative 8 weeks, 5 teeth are positive reaction

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2003.11c
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• pp.720-723
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• 2003

Electric stimulation of teeth is used for assessing pulp vitality. Because of very high and wide range of impedance of the enamel, electric pulp testers use high voltage, high output impedance and alternative current source. Most pulp testers use voltage stimulation method and their stimulating threshold levels significantly depend on each individual. Therefore, a constant current stimulator is necessary to minimize the effect of wide variation in enamel thickness. In this study, we constructed a constant current source type of pulp tester with the maximum current of 150 uA.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2003.11c
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• pp.727-730
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• 2003

Electric pulp test is a method to examine the vitality of dental pulp using the electrical stimulation. During the pulp test, the current stimulates intradental nerve, and makes patients painful. Some studies were accomplished to measure the responses of subjects by stimulating over the sensory threshold. In this study, we examined the time delay between pain feeling and stimulation stop in clinical situation. And we measured the activated responses(EMG in anterior belly of digastric muscle, voice, and finger span). As a result, it was verified that the minimum and maximum delay was EMG and voice, respectively. By reducing the excessive stimulus time, the unnecessary pain can be minimized using EMG that has the minimum delay.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.43-49
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• 2004

Electric pulp test is a method to examine the vitality of dental pulp using physical and chemical stimulation. During the pulp test, the current stimulates intradental nerve, and it makes patients painful. In this paper, we measured each activating response EMG in anterior belly of digastric muscle, voice, and finger movement during the pulp test by increasing stimulus intensity gradually. We also measured excessive stimulus time from the activating responses (EMG, voice, and finger movement) to the end of the stimulation. We measured and analyzed excessive stimulus time for each stimulus detecting method. As a result, we developed automatic stimulus breaker using the human responses to stimulus during electric pulp test. We reduced the excessive stimulus time by disconnecting the pulp tester stimulus output rapidly in 10 ms after activating human response.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2004

Electric stimulation of teeth has been used for assessing pulp vitality. The principle is based upon the assumption that a subject feels the pain produced by electrical current stimulation of intradental nerve. Because of very high and wide range of impedance of the enamel, it is very difficult to determine stimulation levels regardless of teeth status. Most pulp testers adopt voltage stimulation method and thus, their stimulating threshold levels significantly depend on each individual. Therefore, a constant current stimulator is necessary to minimize the effect of wide variation due to different enamel thickness. And it is also necessary to test teeth vitality with a wide current range regardless of tooth impedance. In this study, we constructed a burst-wave type pulp tester to reduce the pain using a current stabilizing circuit with the maximum current of 150 uA.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.522-528
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• 2006

When tooth is displaced within the alveolar bone, it could apply pressure and rupture the apical vessels. Pulpal reaction in such case is affected by the stage of root formation, amount of intrusion and pulpal infection. Determining the need of pulp treatment depends on the pulp vitality. Therefore, periodic vitality tests, coronal color changes and radiographic root resorption signs should be observed through periodic post-trauma follow-up. Pulp necrosis, pulp canal obliteration, external root resorption, root ankylosis and marginal bone loss could result from periodontal injuries. Negative sign changes from positive signs of vitality tests suggest pulp necrosis. In this case, pulp treatment should be held before root resorption occurs. By comparing the following two cases, complications of intrusion and factors producing them could be confirmed, thus we propose to report these two cases.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2012

Background: This study evaluated pulp vitality of anterior permanent teeth using pulse oximetry (PO), which is already used for monitoring of patient's $SpO_2$ and pulse rates (PR). Also we compared with ice tests and electric pulp test (EPT). Methods: 9 teeth, endodontic treated, were selected as non-vital teeth group. 17 vital teeth were selected as control group. Our aim is to compare sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of ice test, electric pulp test and pulse oximetry, respectively. Pulse oximetry has two test results, $SpO_2$ and pulse rates. Also we calculated correlation and statistical significances by Pearson's test between EPT and pulse oximetry. Results: Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV were calculated on each tests. Ice test has results of 1.00, 0.89, 0.94 and 1.00, respectively. EPT has results of 0.94, 0.78, 0.89 and 0.88 respectively. $SpO_2$ has results of 0.94, 1.00, 1.00 and 0.90, respectively. PR has results of all 1.00. Conclusions: PO showed relatively accurate, stable and objective results on both $SpO_2$ and PR. Percentage of ability of accurate diagnosis for vital teeth is 94% for ice test, 89% for EPT, 100% for $SpO_2$ and PR. Percentage of ability of accurate diagnosis for non-vital teeth is 100% for ice test, 88% for EPT, 90% for $SpO_2$ and 100% for PR. In additions, PR could be more accurate and significant tests than $SpO_2$.