Changes in hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation in human gingiva with decreasing inflammation.

The purpose of this study was to determine if functional changes in the human gingival vasculature were reversible following the resolution of gingival inflammation. Ten patients with 40 inflamed gingival sites were evaluated before and 2 weeks after the completion of treatment. We determined the hemoglobin concentration and the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin at each site by tissue reflectance spectrophotometry. With the use of treatment including motivation, oral hygiene instruction, and scaling, clinical parameters such as the gingival and plaque indices, the Periotron score, and the probing depth were altered toward a healthier state. With the resolution of gingival inflammation, the increased hemoglobin concentration and decreased oxygen saturation in the inflamed gingiva were restored to normal levels. These findings suggest that reversible changes in the local hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation are associated with decreasing gingival inflammation in human subjects.