Application of a dehydrated test strip, HEMASTIX®, for the assessment of gingivitis

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Abstract
To develop a rapid and simple method based on chemical alterations in gingival pockets during inflammation, Hemastix strips were used to record the degree of gingivitis. This dehydrated test strip records Hb derived from erythrocytes and myeloperoxidase from PMN[polymorphonuclear neutrophil]-leukocytes. The intensity of blue color that appeared and the amount of adsorbed fluid were recorded. The correlation of the strip index with gingival index was highly significant (P < 0.001) and with gingival bleeding index significant (P < 0.01). When determined from the left side of the upper jaw and from the Ramfjord teeth, the correlation between the 2 areas was highly significant (P < 0.001) in the case of strip index but only slightly significant (P < 0.05) with gingival index. The strip index can be used for the assessment of biochemical changes in gingival pockets resulting from gingivitis development.

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