Pulp Vitality of Maxillary Canines After Alveolar Cleft Bone Grafting: Pulse Oximetry Versus Electric Pulp Test Versus Cold Test

Assessment of pulp vitality is necessary prior to any dental treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess pulp vitality of bilateral canines in unilateral cleft patients following alveolar bone graft surgery using pulse oximetry, electrical pulp test, and cold test.

This analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted on canines of 20 unilateral cleft patients who had alveolar bone graft surgery. Pulp vitality of canines was evaluated postoperatively by pulse oximetry, electrical pulp test, and cold test. Data were analyzed using t test, Mann-Whitney test, and χ2 test. P ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The mean pulp SpO2 was significantly lower in canines at the cleft side compared with the normal side (85.04 ± 4.65 versus 87.78 ± 4.01, P = 0.05). The response to cold test was not significantly different (P = 0.056). The mean response to electrical pulp was not significantly different between the 2 sides either (P = 0.62).

The mean SpO2 of canines was lower at the cleft side than normal side but both sides had adequate blood supply and were vital.