Efficiency of new custom-made pulse oximeter sensor holder in assessment of actual pulp status

This study aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of new custom-made pulse oximeter sensor holder in assessment of actual pulp status with three pulp sensibility tests.

Seventy-nine single canal teeth requiring endodontic therapy was included in the study. The tooth that was requiring root canal treatment was tested with heat test, cold test, electric pulp test, and pulse oximeter. Between each test, a time period of 2 min was allowed. The response from three pulp sensibility tests and the reading from pulse oximeter were recorded. Following which root canal treatment was performed. The result obtained from four pulp tests were correlated with the clinical finding after access cavity preparation. The data obtained was statistically assessed. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the efficacy of the pulp tests. In the above statistical tools, the probability value. 05 is considered as significant level.

The overall diagnostic accuracy was found to be significantly higher with pulse oximeter when compared with other three pulp sensibility tests. The ROC curve demonstrates the results obtained from pulse oximeter was found to be more reliable than other pulp tests.

Within the limitation of the study, diagnostic accuracy of pulse oximeter with custom made sensor holder was reliable and accurate in assessment of actual pulp status.