title: Preliminary study of video imaging of blood vessels in tissues lining the gingival sulcus in periodontally healthy individuals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to obtain in vivo images of the microcirculation in tissues lining the gingival crevice in periodontally healthy volunteers and to assess the repeatability of the parameters measured.
  
  
  METHODS
  Video microscopy images of the microcirculation of tissues lining the gingival crevice were obtained from 20 periodontally healthy volunteers. Images were obtained with a single 1 mm diameter 1 pitch gradient index lens with a high numerical aperture and with a plain glass lens and illumination with a green 525 nm light-emitting diode and recorded using a video microscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The morphological features of the vessels (including vessel diameter, vessel density, loops, branches, dilated vessels) were similar to those described previously in other mammals. The Kappa values for the assessment of morphology of the vessels using the gradient index lens range from 0.83 for branching to 0.91 for dilated and using the glass lens 0.47 for branching and 0.38 for dilated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This novel system allowed for a consistent and repeatable assessment of the gingival microvasculature. However, there was some evidence of possible pressure artefacts in those cases where the measurements of separation between vessels exceeded 150 μm.
authors: Vascular Physiology Unit, University College London Institute of Cardiovascular Science, London, UK.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Townsend
authors: F
authors: F
authors: D'Aiuto
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Deanfield
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000098:blood supply; D002196:Capillaries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation; D007180:Incisor / Q000098:blood supply; D007909:Lenses; D008029:Lighting / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology; D018715:Microscopy, Video / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055806:Microvessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000098:blood supply; D055100:Optical Fibers; D012031:Refractometry; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: blood vessels; gradient index rod lens; periodontal; video imaging