Effects of adrenaline and coldness on gingival-blood-flow in humans

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the effects of topical application of adrenaline, cold-water and ice on gingival-blood-flow (GBF) in humans. Methods: Subjects (n=18) attended both series of experiments and randomly-chosen to be in series-1 or 2 experiments first (washout period,7 days). In series-1, GBF was recorded on attached gingiva between central and lateral-incisor with laser-Doppler flowmeter which the probe was stabilized on central-incisor with acrylic splint. Recording were made with 6 conditions: baseline; after application of water (37⁰C, control), cold-water (4⁰C, 30s, 60s), ice (30s, 60s). Series-2, GBF were recorded with 4 conditions: Baseline; after application of adrenaline (1:200,000, 1:100,000, 1:1,000).Results: Baseline mean-GBF for series-1 was 50.82 while mean-GBF after application of water, cold-water (30s, 60s), ice (30s, 60s) were 51.41, 40.13, 30.82, 33.42 and 25.16 PU respectively. Series-2, baseline and mean-GBF after application of adrenaline (1:200,000, 1:100,000, 1:1,000) were 52.06, 45.50, 41.91 and 32.51 PU respectively. Application of cold-water (60s), ice (30s, 60s) and adrenaline (1:1,000) significantly decreased GBF to 39.35%,34.24%, 50.44% and 37.55% as compared to baseline, respectively (ANOVA, Tukey's test, p<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this clinical study demonstrate that applications of cold-water (60s), ice (30s, 60s) and adrenaline (1:1,000) are useful as topical hemostatics in dentistry by decreasing GBF about 34-50%.

This work was supported by Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University and Colgate- Palmolive (Thailand) Ltd.