Effects of age, sex, and blood pressure on the blood flow velocity in dental pulp measured by Doppler ultrasound technique

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of age, sex, and BP on the PBFV in human maxillary anterior teeth.

METHODS: A total of 332 maxillary anterior teeth from 95 participants were included. The age and sex of each subject were recorded. The systolic and diastolic BPs were measured by a digital sphygmomanometer. The PBFV of each tooth was measured by a Doppler ultrasound system with a 20 MHz transducer.

RESULTS: Among the variables, only systolic BP demonstrated a significant association with the PBFV. There were significant decreases in the PBFV with the groups of lower BP (P<.05). Age, sex, and tooth type were not significantly associated with the PBFV.

CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, it is considered that the PBFV increases with an increase in systolic BP. Age, sex, and tooth type had no significant effect on the PBFV of maxillary anterior teeth.