title: A novel procedure for evaluating gingival perfusion status using laser-Doppler flowmetry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To systematize a procedure that allows one to characterize the perfusion response pattern of attached gingiva to the topical and transitory compression of alveolar mucose, using laser-Doppler flowmetry.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was carried out, in 20 healthy adult subjects of either sex, with teeth in antero-mandibular sextant but without periodontitis at the lower left lateral incisor (LLLI). Sample was selected by convenience non-probability sampling. Gingival perfusion was evaluated at labial LLLI attached gingiva using a specially designed gingival tray. Two perfusion recordings were carried out 5 min. apart, each one consisting of a 40 s control phase, a 22 s compression phase and a 40 s post-compression phase. During compression phase, LLLI alveolar mucose was compressed with a wood-mounted cotton swab until the perfusion decreased to about 1/5 of its control perfusion value.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Integrated primary basal flow (IPBF) during control phase was of 14,210+/-1075 perfusion units (PU), whereas integrated flow during compression phase was of 1651+/-202 PU (p<0.05). After compression was released, integrated total secondary real flow was 13,322+/-1513 PU (p<0.05) which represented a 91.3+/-3.8% of IPBF. Gingival compression propitiated an induced flow debt (IFD) of 6478+/-781 PU, which increased in 980+/-482 PU after compression was released, representing 18% of the IFD (Debt index).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A hypoaemic response in reaction to topical and transitory LLLI alveolar mucose compression was observed. Debt index and the ITSRF% are reproducible indices of microvascular perfusion response whose validation under pathological circumstances remains to be evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Depto. Fisiología y Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, México.
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Patiño-Marín
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: Juan Pablo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Loyola-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tenorio-Govea
authors.forename: Ma Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Brito-Orta
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Martínez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000098:blood supply*; D005888:Gingival Pocket / Q000503:physiopathology; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply; D011312:Pressure; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors