IADR Abstract Archives
Gingival Blood Perfusion Changes Following Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy
Objectives: The rate of blood perfusion plays an important role in wound healing and clinical outcomes of any treatment of highly vascularized tissues, e.g., the gingiva. Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) allows the non-invasive measurement of tissue perfusion (erythrocyte flux through capillary bed) and detects ischemia caused by soft tissue manipulation. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the short term changes in gingival blood perfusion following non-surgical periodontal therapy.
Methods: Adult patients scheduled to receive non-surgical periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing) on maxillary anterior teeth were recruited. Arch impressions were made and guides were prepared to stabilize the LDF probe, on a single tooth site 2-3 mm apical to gingival margin, for repeated measurements. LDF recordings were performed using the Periflux 5000 System (Perimed AB, Sweden) and reported as mean perfusion units (PU) within 120 seconds. Recordings were completed prior to and after local anesthesia, and immediately after completion of the procedure. Each patient contributed recordings from a single tooth. Clinical parameters including probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were obtained from patients’ periodontal chart.
Results: 4 male non-smokers, (48±11 yrs old) were recruited. Mean PPD at treated sites was 6±1 mm with mean CAL 3±1 mm. Mean LDF readings prior to any manipulation was 47.89±70.70 PU. Local anesthesia resulted in ischemia-like response with a median difference of -8.5 [-79 to +87] DPU while mean LDF readings immediately following SRP indicate recovery of blood perfusion with a median difference of 68 [-1.3 to +260] DPU compared to baseline readings. A trend towards minimal tissue response was noted at sites with shallower PPD and less CAL.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this preliminary study, it appears that gingival blood perfusion is altered even during non-surgical periodontal therapy, i.e., following scaling and root planing. The rate of perfusion recovery following subgingival instrumentation may be an important factor for non-surgical periodontal therapy outcomes.
Methods: Adult patients scheduled to receive non-surgical periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing) on maxillary anterior teeth were recruited. Arch impressions were made and guides were prepared to stabilize the LDF probe, on a single tooth site 2-3 mm apical to gingival margin, for repeated measurements. LDF recordings were performed using the Periflux 5000 System (Perimed AB, Sweden) and reported as mean perfusion units (PU) within 120 seconds. Recordings were completed prior to and after local anesthesia, and immediately after completion of the procedure. Each patient contributed recordings from a single tooth. Clinical parameters including probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were obtained from patients’ periodontal chart.
Results: 4 male non-smokers, (48±11 yrs old) were recruited. Mean PPD at treated sites was 6±1 mm with mean CAL 3±1 mm. Mean LDF readings prior to any manipulation was 47.89±70.70 PU. Local anesthesia resulted in ischemia-like response with a median difference of -8.5 [-79 to +87] DPU while mean LDF readings immediately following SRP indicate recovery of blood perfusion with a median difference of 68 [-1.3 to +260] DPU compared to baseline readings. A trend towards minimal tissue response was noted at sites with shallower PPD and less CAL.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this preliminary study, it appears that gingival blood perfusion is altered even during non-surgical periodontal therapy, i.e., following scaling and root planing. The rate of perfusion recovery following subgingival instrumentation may be an important factor for non-surgical periodontal therapy outcomes.