M.IKAWA 1, T.TSUBAHARA 1, M.IIYAMA 1, Z.MIWA 2 and H.SHIMAUCHI 1.
(1 Division of Periodontology and Endodontics, Tohoku University Graduate Sch. of Dentistry, 2 Dept. of Pediatric Dentistry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University)
Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to examine if the location of the probe of laser Doppler flowmeter (LDF) affected the pulpal blood flow (PBF) signals recorded from human teeth.
Methods: Recordings were made on 7 clinically healthy permanent upper central incisors in 5 healthy participants (age: 24 - 30 yrs). The purpose and method of the study was explained to the subjects, and informed consent was obtained from all of them. Prior to the measurement, individual resin cap of each tooth examined was prepared. Holes for the insertion of the LDF probe were drilled in each cap; one on the labial surface at approximately 2 mm from the gingival margin, and the other in the center of the palatal surface. Measurements were made with and without opaque black rubber dam application to the examined tooth.
Results: Results obtained were as follows: The dam significantly reduced the signal, and the reduction was significantly smaller when the probe was placed in the palatal surface of the tooth (n = 7, p = 0.018, Wilcoxon pairs-matched test).
Conclusion: Results indicate that the recording of PBF from the palatal surface may have significant advantage in PBF recordings. This study was in part supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (No. 15390574) from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan.