Laser Doppler em Endodontia: revisão da literatura

Resumo (EN)

The objective of this study was to review the periodics and scientific journals regarding the use of Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) as a method of diagnosis in Endodontics. In order to obtain data, a literature search was performed in the Capes Journals and PubMed database. The review was based on articles published from 1986 to 2010. Electrical and thermal tests are considered sensitivity tests, because they only assess the sensory function of the tooth. A test must assess the blood flow inside the dental pulp to be considered a vitality test. The LDF is a noninvasive method, which assess pulpal blood flow. Several factors may have an influence in the LDF measurements, such as wavelength of the laser, Doppler bandwidth, probe’s optical fibers distance, and tooth isolation. The use of this method has been well documented in the literature and it has been proven very effective in distinguishing between non-vital and vital teeth. Due to its high cost and difficulty to use, this method is not considered friendly to use in the clinical setting, which interpose a more wide-scale use. Current research that proves the importance and effectiveness of the LDF may lead to the popularization and cost reduction of this method, especially when we consider the potential improvement in diagnosis for cases of traumatic pulpal involvement that are common occurrences in our population.