Blood flow in gingiva and alveolar bone in beagles with periodontal disease

Radiolabeled microspheres were used to measure gingival and alveolar bone blood flow in beagles with periodontal disease. The severity of periodontal disease was determined using radiographs, and the percent alveolar bone loss around specific tooth areas was calculated. Gingiva and alveolar bone blood flows were lowest in dogs with minimal periodontal disease (< 10% bone loss) while dogs with moderate to severe disease (> 20% bone loss) had periodontal blood flows 250–400% greater (p < .05). In all animals maxillary alveolar bone had higher blood flow than corresponding mandibular bone (p < .05) whereas gingival blood flow between jaws was similar.