Laser Doppler flow investigation of fractured permanent maxillary incisors

Abstract

Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) is a noninvasive 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 < 0AE05) and uncomplicated crown fractures to be associated with a significant increase in PBF values (P < 0AE05), while complicated crown fractures showed no significant difference between the session-related values (P > 0AE05). 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.

Diagnostic of tooth fractures with the Vistascan system

“…Digital radiography with storage phosphor plates offers a wide range of possibilities to select exposure dose and scanner settings. Although there are numerous studies addressing several radiographic systems (9) and varying diagnostic tasks including tooth fractures (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25), few of them focus on the exposure settings (26,27) and there is always a necessity for further investigations referring to new developed systems. In 2003, the Vistascan system was introduced which marked a remarkable progress in image plate scanner resolution.…”