Use a cu stom-mad e CAD probe holders for periodontal microcircu lation assessment by laser Doppler flowmetry

Abstract

Objective: To perform laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) periodontal microcirculation assessment using custom-made, computer-aided-designed probe holders manufactured by stereolithography (SLA). Methods: 66 young people aged 21-23 years old with clinically healthy periodontium were examined. The first group consisted of subjects where a custom-made probe holder was fabricated using a silicone impression mould technique. The second group consisted of subjects where a custom-made computer-aided-design probe holder made of a photopolymer by SLA was used. The basic microcirculation parameters were analysed to evaluate periodontal microcirculation by the LDF method: the PM – average perfusion value in periodontal tissues; δ – the average square deviation of the amplitude of blood flow fluctuations from the arithmetic mean value, Kv – coefficient of variation (%). Statistical processing of the results was carried out using the software package Statistica 13.0 (StatSoft Inc, USA). Results: Statistical analysis results indicated that the functional characteristics of the periodontal microcirculation using various custom-made fibre optic probe holders used in capillary blood flow monitoring had significant differences p<0.05. The value of the median PM when using a silicone holder in group I was 1.6 times lower than when using a photopolymer holder in group II. The median value of the σ index when using a silicone holder in group I was 2.3 times higher than when using a photopolymer holder in group II. The median value of the Kv when using a silicone holder in group I was 2.5 times higher than when using a photopolymer holder in group II. Conclusion: A photopolymer probe holder, unlike a silicone one, provides a constant fixed distance between the periodontal tissues and the LDF probe, prevents movement or probe displacement, and makes it possible to avoid pressure on the gingival tissue, ensuring high accuracy of laser diagnostics Keywords: Functional diagnostics, LDF, microcirculation, periodontium, CAD, stereolithography.