Premolars' Laser Doppler Measured Blood Perfusion Mean Values

Objectives: To measure, calculate and compare the mean values of pulp blood perfusion for vital first and second upper and lower premolars.
Methods: The pulp blood perfusion of upper and lower first and second premolars was monitored and measured by laser doppler flowmetry device. Teeth, included in this study, were only vital, which was proved by classical clinical vitality testing, without any carious, non-carious lesions or trauma and no restorations. The measurements were done for at least three minutes monitoring and recording through hard dental tissues by using needle probes, fixed at the vestibular tooth surface. The pulp perfusion mean values were calculated for every tooth for a period of one minute by the licensed software of the device. The received data was statistically analyzed.
Results: The total number of monitored and measured premolars was 162. The maxillary premolars included into this research were 86 and mandibular premolars were 76. The volunteers were between 18 and 35 years old (the mean age was 24 years). The calculated mean value for vital upper premolars was 15,7 PU and for vital lower premolars was 16,7 PU. The mean value for first upper premolars was 15,5 PU, and 15,8 PU for second upper premolars. The mean value for lower first premolars was 16,7 PU and 16,6 PU for lower second premolars. There was no statistically significant difference between mean values of first and second premolars neither for maxillary and no for mandibular jaw (p>0,05); no statistically significant difference was found between the upper and lower premolars (p>0,05).
Conclusions: The determined laser Doppler blood perfusion mean values of the investigated premolars in this study can be used when objective, precise and noninvasive assessment of dental pulp status of premolars should be done in order to take the best decision for optimal clinical treatment or scientific research.