Late Effects of Head and Neck Radiotherapy on Pulp Vitality Assessed by Pulse Oximetry

• Published in: Journal of endodontics Vol. 42; no. 6; pp. 886 - 889
• Main Authors: Kataoka, Simony Hidee Hamoy, DDS, MDS, PhD, Setzer, Frank C., DMD, PhD, MS, Gondim-Junior, Eudes, DDS, MDS, PhD, Fregnani, Eduardo Rodrigues, DDS, MDS, PhD, Moraes, Claudia Joffily P., MDS, Pessoa, Oscar Faciola, DDS, MDS, PhD, Gavini, Giulio, DDS, MDS, PhD, Caldeira, Celso Luiz, DDS, MDS, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.06.2016
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Blood flow; cancer; dental pulp; Dental Pulp - blood supply; Dental Pulp - radiation effects; Dental Pulp Test - methods; Dentistry; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Humans; Incisor - radiation effects; Male; microcirculation; Microcirculation - radiation effects; Middle Aged; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Oximetry - methods; Oxygen - analysis; Oxygen - blood; pulse oximetry; Radiation, Ionizing; radiotherapy; Radiotherapy - adverse effects; Regional Blood Flow - radiation effects; pulse oximetry; radiotherapy; dental pulp; cancer; microcirculation; Blood flow
• ISSN: 0099-2399; 1878-3554
• DOI: 10.1016/j.joen.2016.02.016

Abstract Introduction Radiation therapy (RT) of malignant tumors in the head and neck area may have damaging effects on surrounding tissues. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the long-term effects of ionizing radiation on pulp vitality by measuring pulp oxygenation levels (%SpO2 ) in patients with history of RT of intraoral and oropharyngeal tumors 4–6 years after treatment. Methods In an experimental group RT ( n  = 90, history of RT) and a control group CON ( n  = 90, no history of RT), pulp vitality was assessed by measuring %SpO2 by using pulse oximetry and pulp sensitivity by cold thermal testing. All anterior teeth without history of endodontic therapy of the participants in group RT were measured ( n  = 693), regardless of the quadrant and the irradiated area. An equal number of anterior teeth were tested in group CON. Results There was no significant difference between the %SpO2 levels in group RT (92.7%; standard deviation, ± 1.83) and group CON (92.6%; standard deviation, ± 1.80). All teeth in RT and CON groups showed a positive response to the thermal test. All tested teeth were considered vital. Conclusions Pulp %SpO2 was found to be within normal limits 4–6 years after RT. This suggests that RT may not have a long-term influence on pulp vitality, and reported short-term changes in pulpal microcirculation because of RT may be temporary.