Evaluation of gingival vascular structures in periodontal diseases by using videocapillaroscopy method

Epidemiologic studies have shown that smoking has an important effect on prevalence, extent and severity of periodontitis and smoking accepted as a major risk factor for periodontal disease and inflammation. Inflammation is known to cause vascular changes of gingival structure of both smoking and non-smoking patients. The aim of the research is to evaluate gingival microcirculation changes of smoking and non-smoking patients with different levels periodontal disease Oral microvascular images have been obtained from 129 (72 women and 57 men) patients with videocapillaroscopy. Periodontal parameters were recorded and patients were divided in six groups attributing to their smoking and periodontal health status. Images were analyzed for vessel intensity, redness, structure of vessel by a software program. Data were statistically evaluated with SPSS program. Significant differences and relations were observed between groups. Vessel area were calculated 75,03±40,25 and 136,72±50,76 respectively for healthy group and chronic periodontitis patients. Videocapillaroscopy is a reliable, non-invasive simple method for investigation of microvasculature of gingiva. Further studies needed for investigation gingival microstructures.