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Laser Doppler flow investigation of fractured permanent maxillary incisors
Author(s) -
Strobl H.,
Emshoff I.,
Bertram S.,
Emshoff R.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of oral rehabilitation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.991
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-2842
pISSN - 0305-182X
DOI - 10.1046/j.0305-182x.2003.01191.x
Subject(s) - medicine , laser doppler velocimetry , splint (medicine) , crown (dentistry) , dental trauma , maxillary central incisor , incisor , dentistry , occlusion , avascular necrosis , orthodontics , blood flow , surgery , cardiology , femoral head
summary Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) is a non‐invasive method to assess pulpal blood‐flow (PBF). Dental injury has been associated with losses of pulpal sensibility. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcome of splint therapy on tooth fracture type‐related PBF values. In 15 trauma patients, a single maxillary incisor treated by repositioning and splinting was investigated by LDF to assess local PBF values. Perfusion units were taken in four sessions, on the day of splint removel, and 12, 24 and 36 weeks after splint removal. Analysis of the tooth fracture type‐related PBF measurements revealed root fractures to be associated with a significant decrease ( P < 0·05) and uncomplicated crown fractures to be associated with a significant increase in PBF values ( P < 0·05), while complicated crown fractures showed no significant difference between the session‐related values ( P > 0·05). The main findings of this study suggest splint therapy of root fractures of the central maxillary incisor to be associated with a short‐ and long‐term decrease in PBF values. The LDF may become useful in the detection of transient ischaemic episodes and the identification of teeth at risk for adverse sequelae such as avascular necrosis and tissue loss.