Blood flow changes of a superficial temporal artery before and after low-level laser irradiation applied to the temporomandibular joint area.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the blood flow changes of a superficial temporal artery before and after low-level laser irradiation was applied to the TMJ area of healthy subjects.


METHODS
Right TMJ areas of six healthy subjects were irradiated with a CO2 laser. Variation of diameter, blood flow rate, and blood flow volume of the vessel, on both the irradiated side and opposite side, before and after irradiation on the TMJ were evaluated by using a Doppler flowmeter.


RESULTS
The diameter and blood flow volume of the vessel after irradiation increased significantly compared to that before irradiation.


CONCLUSIONS
Low-level laser irradiation applied to the right TMJ area caused an expansion of blood vessels and an increase in blood flow volume. The same result on the contralateral side may be caused by the vasodilator reflex via the hypothalamic thermostat.
Makihara
Eri
E
Division of Occlusion & Maxillofacial Reconstruction, Kyushu Dental College, Kitakyushu, Japan. maki-eri@kyu-dent.ac.jp
Masumi
Shin-ichi
S
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000098:blood supply*
D002245:Carbon Dioxide