Effect of Le Fort I osteotomy on maxillary tooth-type-related pulpal blood-flow characteristics

Objective. Laser Doppler flowmetry is a noninvasive method of assessing pul pal blood-flow (PBF) to document pulpal vitality. Maxillary osteotomies hav e been associated with segment-related decreases in local PBF. The aim of t his study was to assess the effect of a Le Fort I osteotomy on tooth-type-r elated PBF values. Patients and Methods. Maxillary incisors, canines, and premolars were inves tigated bilaterally by laser Doppler flowmetry in 14 volunteers to assess l ocal PBF values before and after surgery. Perfusion units were taken in 3 s essions: on the day before surgery (time since osteotomy [TSO] 0) and at 4 days (TSO I) and 56 days (TSO II) after osteotomy. Results. Analysis of TSO-related PBF measurements revealed a significant di fference between TSO 0 and TSO II for the first premolar and between TSO 0 and TSO I and II for the overall tooth-type-related values. Conclusions. The main findings of this study indicated Le Fort I osteotomy to be associated with a short-term and long-term decrease in maxillary PBF values.