Evaluation of the thermography of gingival condition in children and adolescents with insulin- dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)

Patients diagnosed with periodonthopathies were subjected to thermographic study in order to analyse blood circulation in the periodontal region and pattern of temperature changes in the gingival crevices. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) on the status of blood vessels in the periodontal region in children and adolescents. Clinical status of the periodontal region was assessed with CPITN (Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs). Thermographic patterns were taken in the vicinity of teeth 11 and 21 at some distance from the gingival margin and frenulum of the upper lip, which permitted elimination of a possible influence of other factors on the parameters studied. The thermographic measurements were a few times repeated for each patient and made before and 1,2,3, and 4 minutes after cooling of a selected surface of gingival mucosa. Interpretation of the thermographic patterns was performed taking into account the minimum and maximum temperatures: T min and T max, and Tx – the weighted mean for the left and right sides. Preliminary observations revealed a difference between the data obtained in the group with IDDM and the control group. The results suggest the suitability of the thermographic study for assessment of vascular changes in IDDM patients.