Changes in tooth position in humans in relation to arterial blood pressure

The three-dimensional physiological tooth movement synchronized with the heartbeat is called periodontal pulsation. This study utilized a computer-assisted amorphous sensor to evaluate the relation between tooth position and arterial blood pressure, and also between the amplitude of periodontal pulsation and arterial blood pressure. The measuring device consisted of a small magnet attached to the tooth and an amorphous sensor that was used to detect displacement of the tooth without actually contacting it. The sample consisted of the upper left central incisors of six healthy Japanese volunteers. The three measuring points for each tooth were on the labial surface. The cold-pressor test was used as an autonomic nerve stimulus that induces an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Periodontal pulsation, electrocardiogram, blood pressure and heart rate were recorded simultaneously during a 1 min pre-test relaxation, a 2 min cold-pressor test and a 1 min recovery. The results showed significant correlations between tooth position and mean blood pressure in five of the six volunteers and between tooth position and pulse pressure in four. Moreover, it was confirmed that tooth position shifted in the labial direction in conjunction with an increase of the mean blood pressure induced by cold stimulation. Significant correlations were found between the amplitude of periodontal pulsation and pulse pressure in four of the volunteers. These findings suggest that in humans tooth position might be affected by the force of blood pressure transmitted through periodontal vessels and that the amplitude of periodontal pulsation tends to reflect changes of pulse pressure rather than changes in mean blood pressure. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.