Exploring the correlation between dental procedures and trigemino-cardiac reflex

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Dental Anesthesiology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• The trigemino-cardiac reflex (TCR) involves heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) reductions post-trigeminal nerve stimulation.
• TCR's role in routine dental procedures is not well-established.
• This study investigates TCR incidence during various dental interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between common dental procedures and the trigemino-cardiac reflex (TCR).
• To assess physiological responses, specifically HR and MABP changes, during experimental dental interventions in an animal model.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of physiological monitoring data (HR, MABP) from animal surgeries (2016-2023).
• Evaluation of responses in Beagle dogs and Lee-Sung miniature swine during scaling, root canal treatment, tooth extraction, and implant placement.

Main Results:

• Scaling procedures showed no significant HR or MABP changes.
• Root canal treatments exhibited the highest TCR incidence (9.6% >15% decrease, 5.6% >20% decrease).
• Tooth extraction triggered TCR in 2.7% of cases; implant placement showed HR fluctuations but no significant MABP/HR drops.

Conclusions:

• Dental scaling discomfort is unlikely to induce TCR.
• Root canal treatment, due to physical and chemical stimulation, is more likely to trigger TCR.
• Tooth extraction may provoke TCR; implant placement may indicate early TCR signs via HR fluctuations.