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

We aimed to establish a risk profile for intraoral wound healing disorders based on measurements of microcirculation in gingival tissues. Oxygen saturation (SO2) 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). Baseline SO2 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. Differences in SO2 and blood flow of gingival tissue could be detected in different groups of patients with existing periodontitis compared to control patients. Lower baseline SO2 values could be a warning signal for possible wound healing disorders after oral surgery.