Linear and nonlinear analysis of dental pulp blood flow oscillations in ageing

Aim To investigate the effect of ageing on control mechanisms of pulpal microcirculation using wavelet analysis and to calculate linear and nonlinear parameters of blood flow oscillations, in a healthy general population. Methodology Pulpal blood flow (PBF) oscillations were recorded on right maxillary central incisors using laser Doppler Flowmeter (PeriFlux PF 5001, Perimed, Jarfalla, Sweden) on a group of 10 young participants (20–25 years) and a group of 10 older adults (60–70 years). In total, 20 recordings were obtained for at least 20 min (one recording on one tooth per subject). Using wavelet spectral analysis, the amplitude and power were calculated as a linear and Hurst exponent as a nonlinear parameter of PBF oscillations. Differences between the two groups were assessed with the independent Student t‐test. Results Mean PBF levels were significantly lower (P = 0.024) in older adults than in young participants. Relative amplitudes and powers corresponding to the myogenic (P = 0.046, P