Preliminary observations on oral blood flow.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Physiology
• Dental Research

Background:

• Understanding the microcirculation of masticatory muscles is crucial for diagnosing and treating temporomandibular disorders.
• Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) is a non-invasive technique for measuring blood flow.
• Previous research has explored muscle blood flow during various activities, but specific data on masseter muscle microcirculation during different functions and in pathological conditions is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the changes in masseter muscle blood microcirculation during teeth clenching and grinding using LDF.
• To assess blood flow within a masseter myofibrotic lesion at rest.
• To evaluate the impact of simulated traumatic occlusion on pulpal blood flow in healthy adults.

Main Methods:

• Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) was employed to measure blood flow.
• Measurements were taken on a healthy male subject during teeth clenching and grinding.
• Blood flow was assessed in a female patient with a masseter myofibrotic lesion at rest.
• Pulpal blood flow was measured in three healthy adults subjected to simulated traumatic occlusion of the incisors.

Main Results:

• LDF indicated an increase in masseter muscle blood flow during teeth clenching.
• No significant changes in masseter muscle blood flow were observed during teeth grinding.
• In the patient with a myofibrotic lesion, LDF suggested elevated blood flow within the lesion during the resting postural position.
• In healthy adults, simulated traumatic occlusion did not result in consistent changes in pulpal blood flow.

Conclusions:

• Masseter muscle blood flow dynamics vary with different functions like clenching.
• Myofibrotic lesions in the masseter muscle may exhibit altered resting blood flow patterns.
• Pulpal blood flow in healthy individuals appears resilient to short-term simulated occlusal trauma.