[Objectification of gingival blood-supply disorders by photoelectric plethysmography (author's transl)]

The measuring method described in this paper is used to photoelectrically detect the volume pulsation of the gingival border. The method, which is remarkable for its ease of application, enables both the original pulse and its first differential derivation to be recorded reliably. Evaluation of the pulse cure is by the time of inclination and by the recently introduced "plateau index". Results of studies conducted by Kötzschke et al. show that the plateau index allows to clearly distinguish between normal subjects and parodontopathy patients including those where the disease is in its early stage. This measuring method may be used for objectifying therapeutical measures. Using the "nitroglycerin test", it was possible to show that parodontopathies are very frequently accompanied by functional blood-supply disorders.