Evaluation of pulpal hemodynamics and function by quantitative analysis of pulpal photoplethysmography

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10401
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57070:Developmental dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: Kakino Satoko 東京医科歯科大学, 東京医科歯科大学病院, 講師 (30516307)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 松浦 祐司 東北大学, 医工学研究科, 教授 (10241530)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 歯髄診断 / 透過型光電脈波法 / Pulse transit time / 相互相関解析 / 非侵襲診断

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The dental pulp is composed of blood vessels, nerves, lymphatic vessels, and other tissues that supply nutrition to the tooth. The accurate diagnosis of dental pulp is an important factor in deciding to preserve the pulp. In our previous studies, pulpal blood flow measurement was performed using Transmitted-light plethysmography, which enabled the diagnosis of pulp viability. In this study, the presence or absence of pulpal blood flow was quantitatively evaluated based on cross-correlation analysis of tooth and finger plethysmogram, which could aid in pulpal diagnosis. Furthermore, it was suggested that changes in pulp vascular elasticity due to aging or pathology may affect the pulse transit time (PTT).

Free Research Field

小児歯科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

歯科の診断機器は、歯科医の誰もが容易に使用でき、非侵襲的であることが求められる。本研究によって歯髄脈波の有無の定量的な評価が可能となったことで、診断の客観性や精度の向上に寄与できると考えられる。TLP法は、歯髄保存の可否の診断において、不要な抜髄を回避し、歯髄を可及的に保存するための診断の一助となる。今後実用化が可能となれば、歯の健康維持や歯科臨床への貢献が期待される。