Gingival blood flow measured with a laser Doppler flowmeter

Abstract

Previous studies of gingival blood flow have used techniques that were discrete, invasive, or only applicable to animals. The present study assessed this parameter in 10 healthy humans using a noninvasive laser Doppler flowmeter (LDF), Blood flow rate was determined in the interdental papillae. Free and attached gingival, and alveolar mucosa, Measurements were made continoulsy at four sites per patient and discontinoulsy at 21 sites per arch representing the four locations. The effects of heat, cold, pressure, and occlusal force on blood flow were measured. Blood flow wave patterns differed consistently by tissue type, Mean blood flow was singnifiantly hinger (p < 0.001) in alveolar mucosa than in the gingival. Both heat and cold produced initial hyperemia, followed by a rapid return toward baseline. Localized pressure caused ischemia followed by reactive hyperemia in all tissue types, Transient ischemia was seen during occlusal force at the free gingival margin of test teeth, but blood flow in adjacent interdental papillae and attached gingival remained unaltered. A significant difference (p < 0.001). The LDF offeres promise as a noninvasive method to study gingival blood flow.