Abstract
This study was performed to evaluate the application of the transmitted laser flow meter for the assessment of pulpal blood flow in children. The new probe, which was the slide caliper type not recluiring the custom-made shell, was devised for this application.
We used two different types of probe (slide caliper type and shell type) for measurement of pulpal blood flow in vital and non-vital teeth of 3 adult subjects, and the flowmetry data were compared. Then, using slide caliper type probe, we measured the pulpal blood flow of children. The subjects were 46 children aged 3-16. Thirty-five primary incisors and fifty-three permanent incisors were measured.
The results were as follows;
1. The correct assessment of pulpal vitality was obtained by using the slide caliper type probe as well as the shell type probe. Furthermore, the slide caliper type enabled us to measure the pulpal blood flow easily.
2. As for the child subject, the values of the pulpal blood flow of the primary teeth were larger than those of the permanent teeth.
3. Primary teeth with completed root showed larger values of pulpal blood flow than those with resorpted root.
4. Permanent teeth in children showed larger pulpal blood flow than those in adults.
