Inorganic ions level in saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis and healthy subjects

Abstract

Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that extends into the tissues supporting the teeth. Inorganic ions have been most intensely studied as a potential marker for periodontal disease in saliva. The aims of the study were the detection of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium ions levels in saliva of chronic periodontitis patients and healthy subjects and correlate the mean salivary levels of these ions with clinical periodontal parameters (plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL)). Materials and methods: The study sample consisted of thirty chronic periodontitis patients of both gender (18 males and 12 females) and thirty healthy control subjects of both gender (15 males and 15 females) with age ranged from 30 to 50 years. Both groups were without any systemic disease. Periodontal parameters used in this study were plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from all subjects and the levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium in each specimen were analyzed. For each group a statistical analysis was done to estimate the levels of these ions in saliva and to correlate the mean of salivary inorganic levels with clinical periodontal parameters. Results: The present study showed that there was highly significant difference in the levels of salivary inorganic ions (Ca=2, Mg+2, K+1, Na+1) between chronic periodontitis patients and control group with increase in Ca+2, K+1, Na+1 ions levels in saliva of chronic periodontitis and decrease in level of Mg +2 ions in saliva of chronic periodontitis than in control group. There was no correlation between the mean of PLI and Ca+2, Mg +2, K +1 and Na+1 ions in saliva of chronic periodontitis and there was no correlation between the mean of GI and Ca+2, Mg +2 and Na+1 ions and a negative significant correlation with K+1 ions. Concerning PPD and CAL there was no correlation between them and the mean salivary inorganic levels in chronic periodontitis patients. Conclusions: Estimation of these electrolytes or inorganic ions in saliva of chronic periodontitis may be used as potential diagnostic markers of active disease status in periodontal tissues and to predict the effective methods of prevention and treatment. Keyword: chronic periodontitis, inorganic ions, saliva. (J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2012;24(3):93-97).