Determination of gingival temperatures of dogs with healthy gums by means of a thermal camera

Abstract

In this study, the gingival inflammation degree of dogs was determined according to the Gingival Index (GI). According to this index, it was aimed to determine the free gingiva (FG), attached gingiva (AG) and alveolar mucosa (AM) temperatures of the gingiva of dogs with healthy gums by means of a thermal camera. The material of the study consisted of the gingiva of 140 dogs aged 2 years and older, who were brought to Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Hospital, Surgery Clinic, non-brachiocephalic and without periodontal destruction in their gingiva. Healthy maxillary (n= 427) and mandibular (n= 671) gums in addition maxillary (n=432) and mandibular (n= 463) gums with gingivitis were included in the study. The FG temperature of the buccal surface of the healthy maxillary gingiva was 36.25±1.43°C, the AG temperature was 36.81±1.37°C, and the AM temperature was 37.53±1.30°C. The FG temperature of the buccal surface of the healthy mandibular gingiva was 35.46±1.42°C. In addition the AG temperature was 36.26±1.35°C, and the AM temperature was 37.01±1.22°C. The FG temperature of the maxillary gums with gingivitis was 36,40±1,32°C, the AG temperature was 36,95±1,21°C, and the AM temperature was 37,57±1,21°C. The FG temperature of the mandibular gums with gingivitis was 35,82±1,26°C, the AG temperature was 36,57±1,16°C, and the AM temperature was 37,27±1,10°C. Temperature difference (r) between in maxillary and mandibular FG (r= 0.78°C and p= .000), AG (r= 0.52°C and p= .000) and AM (r= 0.51°C and p= .000) of dogs with healthy gums temperatures were found to be significant. Temperature difference between maxillary and mandibular FG with gingivitis (r= 0.58°C and p= .000), AG (r= 0.38°C and p= .000) and AM (r= 0.29°C and p= .000) were found to be statistically significant. It was concluded that the thermal camera can be an effective diagnostic tool in detecting inflammatory changes in the gingiva.