Application of oxygen saturation test after replantation of avulsed immature permanent teeth: A prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: The evaluation of pulp status is crucial for avulsed immature permanent teeth following replantation. In addition to commonly used clinical and radiographic examinations providing clinical evidence, oxygen saturation test may offer valuable assistance. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of pulse oximeter in evaluating pulp status in avulsed and replanted immature permanent teeth.

METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed including 51 avulsed and replanted immature permanent teeth. Routine clinical and radiographic examinations were performed and used as the basis for diagnosis of pulp status during the 1-year follow-up period. Meanwhile, the oxygen saturation values of these teeth were recorded using a modified pulse oximeter at each visit.

RESULTS: Seven teeth completed pulp revascularization (success group), whereas 44 teeth failed to revascularize (failure group). Abnormal clinical and/or radiographic manifestations in the failure group were observed at an average period of 42.7 days, which was too late because a high incidence of inflammatory root resorption (43.18%) had occurred. For oxygen saturation tests, teeth in the success group showed an immediate post-replantation oxygen value of 70.71 ± 3.35, then an upward trend starting from the 2-week post-replantation visit, and a significantly increased final value of 81.86 ± 2.34 at the 1-year visit. In contrast, no increase trend was found for teeth in the failure group as abnormal clinical and/or radiographic manifestations emerged.

CONCLUSION: An oxygen saturation test is a reliable diagnostic method by which to evaluate pulp status of avulsed teeth as early as 2 weeks after replantation.