POSSIBILITIES OF THERMAL IMAGING STUDIES OF THE HEAD, NECK AND DENTOGINGIVAL AREA

Abstract

The article presents the results of the research of the use of thermal imaging for diagnostic and treatment control purposes in patients with maxillofacial diseases, such as stenosis or occlusion of the internal and external carotid arteries, and occlusion deformity due to tooth impaction. The changes in infrared radiation in patients with impacted teeth in the process of bite correction were traced. Patients with pathology of the carotid arteries were examined before the surgical treatment and in the early and late postoperative period. Examination of dentogingival segment was carried out in 21 patients; the average age was 17.3±4.3 years; the group comprised 14 females and 7 males. Thermography was performed before the removal of an impacted tooth, after the completion of the complex treatment and when checking the long-term results in those patients who had an impacted tooth on one side and a homonymous tooth in the dental arch on the other side. We observed the weakening of infrared radiation in the head on the affected side in patients with pathology of the carotid arteries with further hyperthermia and the alignment of thermal asymmetry in the early and late postoperative period. In patients with examination of the gingival area, hyperthermia was initially detected, and then, in the process of teething, normalization of the thermal image was observed. Thermal imaging is an additional and unique diagnostic and control method that can be used to confirm the effectiveness of the treatment.