[Comparison of flow rate of sulcus fluid after 30 seconds and 3 minutes test times].

Abstract

Within the framework of a gingivitis study the sulcus fluid flow rate (SFFR) at the lower and upper premolars of 9 subjects was determined with the assistance of Periotron 6000. The measurements were conducted at days 0, 7, 14 and 21 with the aim to compare the SFFR after 3 minutes (Löe and Holm-Pedersen 1965, Rüdin et al. 1970) with the measurements of Lamster et al. (1985a, b) at 30 seconds. The increase of the SFFR at 30 seconds, as well as at 3 min was significant on all measurement days, but no proportional dependance of SFFR on the measurement time was seen. On the basis of these results it is justified to restrict the SFFR to 30 seconds, to reliably determine the grade of infection of gingiva.