Blood gas tension and acidity level of caries exposed vital pulps in primary molars

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to determine if gas tension and acidity levels could serve as biomarkers of pulp inflammatory status in the primary dentition. Methods The present study evaluated acidity level and blood partial pressures of O 2 and CO 2 collected from vital pulp chambers of 84 primary molars with deep carious lesions encroaching the pulp. Teeth were treated with pulpotomy or pulpectomy based on clinical judgement after excision of the coronal pulp tissue. Pulpectomy was performed when positive history of symptoms, difficulty in obtaining hemostasis and/or dark purple blood were present. Using a glass capillary, pulp chamber bleeding was collected and within ten minutes a neonate Astrup test was performed to determine blood gas module pH, pCO 2 , and pO 2 . Results Eighty-four children with one affected tooth participated in the study (37 girls and 47 boys). Age ranged between 3.5 to 11-years (average: 5.3 years). Seventy-one (84%) were treated with the aid of inhalation analgesia, conscious sedation or general anesthesia. Pulpotomy was performed on 51 teeth (61%). Teeth undergoing pulpectomy revealed significant higher level of CO 2 partial pressure (P0.05). Conclusions Higher pCO 2 levels and lower pH were found in pulps needing pulpectomy.