Pulpal blood-flow characteristics of maxillary tooth morphotypes as assessed with laser Doppler flowmetry

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of tooth m orphotype on intraindividual and interindividual variations of baseline dat a as well as on temporal variations between testing intervals in the assess ment of pulpal blood-flow by means of laser Doppler flowmetry. Study design, In 14 volunteers, maxillary incisors, canines, premolars, and first molars were investigated bilaterally by laser Doppler flowmetry to a ssess local pulpal blood-flow values. Measurements in perfusion units were taken during 3 sessions, with a time interval of 7 days between sessions. Results. Intraindividual comparisons of tooth morphotype-related pulpal blo od-flow values revealed significant differences only for the first molar, w hereas significant interindividual differences were found for the lateral i ncisor, canine, premolars, and first molar. Pulpal blood-flow values for th e second premolar (11.1 perfusion units) were significantly higher and thos e for the central incisor (7.6 perfusion units) significantly lower than th ose for the lateral incisor (9.4 perfusion units) and First molar (9.4 perf usion units). in contrast, measurements at the lateral incisor, first premo lar, and first molar did not differ significantly (P >.05). Multiple testin g showed no statistically significant effect on tooth morphotype-related pu lpal blood-flow measurements. Conclusions. The findings indicate that contralateral incisors, canines, an d premolars are appropriate intraindividual controls for local pulpal blood -flow recordings. Other studies may identify the effect of environmental an d technique-related factors on the assessment of local pulpal blood-flow va lues.