Non-invasive and quantitative methods for assessment of blood flow in periodontal and oral soft tissues: a systematic review

ObjectivesUnderstanding the available methods to study blood flow in the oral cavity can enhance knowledge of research methodology on periodontal circulation related to disease initiation and progression as well as wound healing. This study aims to systematically review non-invasive techniques that...

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Main Authors: Amanda Rodriguez, Oliver Kripfgans, Fabiana Aellos, Diego Velasquez, Alejandra Baltazar, Hsun-Liang Chan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Dental Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdmed.2025.1587821/full
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author Amanda Rodriguez
Amanda Rodriguez
Oliver Kripfgans
Fabiana Aellos
Diego Velasquez
Diego Velasquez
Alejandra Baltazar
Hsun-Liang Chan
Hsun-Liang Chan
author_facet Amanda Rodriguez
Amanda Rodriguez
Oliver Kripfgans
Fabiana Aellos
Diego Velasquez
Diego Velasquez
Alejandra Baltazar
Hsun-Liang Chan
Hsun-Liang Chan
author_sort Amanda Rodriguez
collection DOAJ
description ObjectivesUnderstanding the available methods to study blood flow in the oral cavity can enhance knowledge of research methodology on periodontal circulation related to disease initiation and progression as well as wound healing. This study aims to systematically review non-invasive techniques that allow for the assessment of oral tissue perfusion in clinical and pre-clinical studies.MethodsA complete electronic literature search in 5 databases (NLM PubMed, Embase, EBSCOhost CINAHL, EBSCOhost Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, and Wiley Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) was conducted by two reviewers. The search terms included gingival blood flow, tissue perfusion, imaging perfusion, soft tissue perfusion, diagnostic, vascularization, soft tissue, and microvascularization. The focused question is: What are the available non-invasive and quantitative imaging techniques used to evaluate oral and periodontal tissue perfusion?ResultsA total of 79 articles were included for qualitative analysis. Various methods were identified, including Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF), Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI), Spectral Imaging Methods (such as Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy), Ultrasound (US), Intravital Video Microscopy, and Oral Videocapillaroscopy. LDF is the most applied to estimate blood flow in a small focal area for the study of periodontal diseases and oral wound healing, among other indications. LSCI, providing surrogate superficial blood flow values in a 2-dimensional, larger field-of-view, has been used for similar reasons. The use of cross-sectional ultrasound is on a rise to record blood velocity and blood volume using color flow and color power modes, respectively. Comparisons of the available technologies revealed their strengths and limitations related to their spatial resolution, sensitivity, reliability, accuracy, invasiveness, dependence of (image) data in the field of view relative to probe positioning and angulation, and safety. The ideal features of such a device pertinent to probe geometry, data acquisition, recording, and infection control needs were also discussed.ConclusionsA few imaging technologies have been identified in the literature to study blood flow in the oral cavity. These methods could potentially augment our ability to diagnose oral diseases and monitor wound healing objectively and timely. In combination, these could potentially enhance treatment outcomes significantly.
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spelling doaj-art-eda79580fcc24975b24155be941ecdfc2025-08-20T03:13:11ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Dental Medicine2673-49152025-05-01610.3389/fdmed.2025.15878211587821Non-invasive and quantitative methods for assessment of blood flow in periodontal and oral soft tissues: a systematic reviewAmanda Rodriguez0Amanda Rodriguez1Oliver Kripfgans2Fabiana Aellos3Diego Velasquez4Diego Velasquez5Alejandra Baltazar6Hsun-Liang Chan7Hsun-Liang Chan8Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United StatesDepartment of Periodontics, Collegeof Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United StatesDepartment of Radiology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United StatesDepartment of Surgery, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United StatesDepartment of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United StatesPrivate Practice, Fenton, MI, United StatesDivision of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United StatesDepartment of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United StatesDivision of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United StatesObjectivesUnderstanding the available methods to study blood flow in the oral cavity can enhance knowledge of research methodology on periodontal circulation related to disease initiation and progression as well as wound healing. This study aims to systematically review non-invasive techniques that allow for the assessment of oral tissue perfusion in clinical and pre-clinical studies.MethodsA complete electronic literature search in 5 databases (NLM PubMed, Embase, EBSCOhost CINAHL, EBSCOhost Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, and Wiley Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) was conducted by two reviewers. The search terms included gingival blood flow, tissue perfusion, imaging perfusion, soft tissue perfusion, diagnostic, vascularization, soft tissue, and microvascularization. The focused question is: What are the available non-invasive and quantitative imaging techniques used to evaluate oral and periodontal tissue perfusion?ResultsA total of 79 articles were included for qualitative analysis. Various methods were identified, including Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF), Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI), Spectral Imaging Methods (such as Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy), Ultrasound (US), Intravital Video Microscopy, and Oral Videocapillaroscopy. LDF is the most applied to estimate blood flow in a small focal area for the study of periodontal diseases and oral wound healing, among other indications. LSCI, providing surrogate superficial blood flow values in a 2-dimensional, larger field-of-view, has been used for similar reasons. The use of cross-sectional ultrasound is on a rise to record blood velocity and blood volume using color flow and color power modes, respectively. Comparisons of the available technologies revealed their strengths and limitations related to their spatial resolution, sensitivity, reliability, accuracy, invasiveness, dependence of (image) data in the field of view relative to probe positioning and angulation, and safety. The ideal features of such a device pertinent to probe geometry, data acquisition, recording, and infection control needs were also discussed.ConclusionsA few imaging technologies have been identified in the literature to study blood flow in the oral cavity. These methods could potentially augment our ability to diagnose oral diseases and monitor wound healing objectively and timely. In combination, these could potentially enhance treatment outcomes significantly.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdmed.2025.1587821/fullultrasoundtissue perfusionmicrovasculaturelaser specklelaser Doppler flowmetrynon-invasive
spellingShingle Amanda Rodriguez
Amanda Rodriguez
Oliver Kripfgans
Fabiana Aellos
Diego Velasquez
Diego Velasquez
Alejandra Baltazar
Hsun-Liang Chan
Hsun-Liang Chan
Non-invasive and quantitative methods for assessment of blood flow in periodontal and oral soft tissues: a systematic review
Frontiers in Dental Medicine
ultrasound
tissue perfusion
microvasculature
laser speckle
laser Doppler flowmetry
non-invasive
title Non-invasive and quantitative methods for assessment of blood flow in periodontal and oral soft tissues: a systematic review
title_full Non-invasive and quantitative methods for assessment of blood flow in periodontal and oral soft tissues: a systematic review
title_fullStr Non-invasive and quantitative methods for assessment of blood flow in periodontal and oral soft tissues: a systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Non-invasive and quantitative methods for assessment of blood flow in periodontal and oral soft tissues: a systematic review
title_short Non-invasive and quantitative methods for assessment of blood flow in periodontal and oral soft tissues: a systematic review
title_sort non invasive and quantitative methods for assessment of blood flow in periodontal and oral soft tissues a systematic review
topic ultrasound
tissue perfusion
microvasculature
laser speckle
laser Doppler flowmetry
non-invasive
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdmed.2025.1587821/full
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