Longitudinal analysis of microcirculatory parameters in gingival tissues after tooth extraction in patients with different risk profiles for wound healing disorders - a pilot study.

Objectives: We aimed to establish a risk profile for intraoral wound healing disorders based on measurements of microcirculation in gingival tissues.

Materials And Methods: Oxygen saturation (SO and blood flow in gingival tissues were measured with tissue spectrometry and laser doppler spectroscopy in 37 patients before/after tooth extractions. Patients were assigned to four groups: anamnestically and periodontally healthy patients (n = 7), anamnestically healthy but suffering from periodontitis (n = 10), anamnestically healthy but smoking and suffering from periodontitis (n = 10) and suffering from diabetes and periodontitis (n = 10). Measurements were performed at three different time points: Baseline measurement (T0), one day post extractionem (p.e.) (T1) and seven days p.e. (T2).

Results: Baseline SO values were higher in control patients (p = .038). This effect was most evident in comparison to smokers suffering from periodontitis (p = .042), followed by diabetics suffering from periodontitis (p = .09). An opposite trend was seen for blood flow. Patients suffering from periodontitis demonstrated higher blood flow values (p = .012). Five patients, which belonged to the group of smokers suffering from periodontitis, showed clinically a delayed wound healing.

Conclusion: Differences in SO and blood flow of gingival tissue could be detected in different groups of patients with existing periodontitis compared to control patients.

Clinical Relevance: Lower baseline SO values could be a warning signal for possible wound healing disorders after oral surgery.