Comparative Evaluation of Chair-Side Saliva Tests According to Current Dental Status in Adult Patient.

Chris Rahiotis,Panagiotis Mitropoulos,Afrodite Kakaboura

doi:10.3390/dj9010010

Chris Rahiotis, Panagiotis Mitropoulos + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/dj9010010

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Abstract

Background: this cross-sectional study evaluated the correlation of commercial chair-side saliva tests with caries status in adults. Methods: teeth in 87 adults (20–40 years old) were clinically examined for carious lesions according to International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) criteria. The Decayed-Missing-Filling-Tooth (DMFT) and Decayed-Missing-Filling-Surface (DMFS) indexes at D1 (lesions 1–6 according to ICDAS criteria) and D3 (lesions 4–6 according to ICDAS criteria threshold and the number of active lesions, according to the Lesion Activity Assessment (LAA)) criteria were measured. The saliva parameters measured by chair-side tests were stimulated and non-stimulated saliva flow rate, saliva consistency, saliva pH, saliva buffer capacity, and lactic acid production. The statistical analyses performed were Student t-test and Mann–Whitney U test at a = 0.05 significant level. Results: the low resting saliva pH was related to a high value of DMFT (D1) index (p = 0.007). Conclusions: among the saliva parameters measured, the values of low resting pH are associated with increased DMFT at threshold D1. None of the chair-side available saliva tests evaluated can accurately underline the tooth carious status.

Highlights

Evaluation of Chair-Side Saliva TestsTooth caries is a multifactorial disease due to an ecological imbalance between inorganic components of hard dental tissues and biofilms [1]
Conclusions: among the saliva parameters measured, the values of low resting pH are associated with increased DMFT at threshold D1
The parameter low resting saliva pH was related to a high value in DMFT at the D1 threshold and the high number of possible active carious lesions, respectively

Summary

Introduction

Evaluation of Chair-Side Saliva TestsTooth caries is a multifactorial disease due to an ecological imbalance between inorganic components of hard dental tissues and biofilms [1]. It is believed that dental caries are considered to be a polymicrobial disease and do not follow the classical microbial. The caries process depends on the saliva parameters, the exposure to fluoride, the type of diet, and the type and frequency of oral hygiene habits [1]. The ability of saliva to buffer acids is crucial for pH regulation in the oral cavity. Saliva includes different buffering systems that can regulate pH changes and neutralize the acids produced by cariogenic microorganisms [5]. These systems consist of bicarbonate, phosphate, and protein systems

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion