Pulp Vitality Testing: A Comprehensive Review...

Pulp Vitality Testing: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Advancements

Author Name : Noorshama Khan, Sumaiyya Maniyar, Shruti Adhav, Revati Bhandwale, Dr Hussain Mookhtiar, Dr Vivek Hegde, Dr Gulnaz Tamboli

Pulp vitality testing is a critical diagnostic tool in dental practice, essential for determining the health of dental pulp tissue. Traditional methods, such as thermal and electric pulp testing, have been widely used due to their simplicity and affordability, but they often lack precision in complex cases. Recent technological advancements, including laser Doppler flowmetry, pulse oximetry, and dual wavelength spectrophotometry, have improved the accuracy of vitality assessments by focusing on blood flow and oxygenation rather than nerve responsiveness alone. This review discusses the comparative efficacy of traditional and modern techniques, examining their advantages and limitations within clinical settings. The integration of these advanced diagnostic tools promises to enhance clinical outcomes, especially in trauma management and pediatric dentistry. Future trends, such as AI integration and the development of portable diagnostic devices, may further revolutionize pulp vitality assessment, moving towards more objective, non-invasive, and patient friendly diagnostic approaches.