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Laser Doppler Flowmetry

  • Chapter
Lasers in Endodontics

Abstract

An early determination of pulpal vitality is crucial with respect to a correct differential diagnosis of revascularisation or necrosis and its treatment. The use of sensibility tests (cold, heat, electric pulp test) in combination with X-ray is commonly promoted. However, these tests are arbitrary, based on sensations, and therefore not always reliable. In such situation, registration of pulpal blood flow will be more than an added value. The most studied and well-documented method for registration of pulpal blood flow is laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), a non-invasive technique with direct and objective registrations. In this chapter, we describe pulpal blood flow, LDF and its characteristics, this method’s advantages and disadvantages and recent developments regarding LDF. Despite a low implementation of LDF in dentistry, this technique has proven to be an indisputable, basic asset of a dental clinic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, Ghent Dental Laser Centre, Ghent Dental Photonics Research Clustre, Dental School, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Herman J. J. Roeykens DDS, MSc

  2. Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, Ghent Dental Laser Centre, Ghent Dental Photonics Research Clustre, BIOMAD, Dental School, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Roeland J. G. De Moor DDS, MSc, PhD

Authors
  1. Herman J. J. Roeykens DDS, MSc
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  2. Roeland J. G. De Moor DDS, MSc, PhD
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Correspondence to Herman J. J. Roeykens DDS, MSc .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. InLaser Rome, Advanced Center for Esthetic and Laser Dentistry, Rome, Italy

    Giovanni Olivi

  2. Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Roeland De Moor

  3. Arizona School of Dentistryand Oral Health, Mesa, Arizona, USA

    Enrico DiVito

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Roeykens, H.J.J., De Moor, R.J.G. (2016). Laser Doppler Flowmetry. In: Olivi, G., De Moor, R., DiVito, E. (eds) Lasers in Endodontics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19327-4_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19327-4_9

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