Blood-flow and neurosensory changes in the maxillary dental pulp after differing Le Fort I osteotomies

Purpose. The objective of this study was to examine changes in blood flow and the recovery of sensibility in the maxillary dental pulp after two different types of maxillary osteotomies. Study design. Nine patients (C-group) who underwent a combined of Le Fort I and horseshoe osteotomy and 14 patients (NC-group) who underwent a single-segment Le Fort I osteotomy were compared. Thirty-two (C-group) and 54 (NC-group) maxillary incisors were examined preoperatively and at 1-7 days, 14 days, and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The pulpal blood flow (PBF) was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry, and the pulpal sensibility (PS) was investigated by electrodiagnostics. Results. In both groups, the PBF dropped to its lowest value at I day after surgery and increased thereafter. Though a temporary drop of the PBF was observed in the NC-group on day 4, the PS recovered earlier in the NC-group than in the C-group. Conclusion. These results suggest that the method of maxillary osteotomy influences the postoperative change of the PBF and recovery of the PS in the maxillary teeth.