Salivary SIgA and dental caries activity.

This case-control study was conducted to determine the protective role of salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) levels in the unstimulated whole saliva of dental caries active (Group I and II) and caries free children (Group III). Thirty children aged 4-8 years were selected. Their DMFT (Decayed Missing Filled teeth for permanent teeth) and/or df-t (decayed, filled teeth for deciduous teeth) scores were determined and the salivary SIgA levels were measured using Immunoturbidometry. SIgA levels of all three groups were in the the normal range of 4-30 mg/dL. The SIgA levels for both Group I and II were less than that in Group III (P=0.018 and P=0.0013, respectively).