Pressure within the Pulp Chamber of the Dog's Tooth Relative to Arterial Blood Pressure

Abstract

Holes were drilled through the enamel and dentin to the pulp chamber of the teeth of dogs with the Air Dent. A capillary tube was sealed into the hole and connected to a transducer which was calibrated in mm H2O. Arterial pressure was measured in mm Hg from the femoral. Tracings of the dental pulp and arterial pressures were taken simultaneously. Injection of adrenalin produced a rise (temporary) in both the arterial and dental pulp fluid pressure. Similar results were obtained with an infusion of adrenalin. Cessation of the infusion was followed by a fall in both pressures. Acetylcholine infusion produced a pronounced drop in both pressures. Cessation of the infusion was followed by a rise in both pressures. Blood pressure was raised and lowered without the use of drugs, in the first instance by cutting the vagi and in the second by bleeding the animal.