Analysis of Salivary IgA, Amylase, Lactoferrin, and Lysozyme Before and After Comprehensive Dental Treatment in Children: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the levels of salivary IgA, amylase, lactoferrin, and lysozyme before and after comprehensive dental treatment in children with early childhood caries.

DESIGN

Thirty children aged 36-60 months, with a deft score ≥5, were selected for the study. Before dental treatment, paraffin-stimulated whole saliva was collected in a sterile graduated cup for a period of 5 min. The saliva samples were quantitatively analyzed for levels of IgA, amylase, lactoferrin, and lysozyme using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Comprehensive dental treatment was carried out in all the children including caries preventive procedures. A second sample of saliva was collected at 3 months following completion of dental treatment. Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using Student's -test.

RESULTS

The mean levels of salivary IgA was significantly reduced from 59.60 μg/ml to 56.42 μg/ml after dental treatment ( < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the levels of salivary amylase from 115.78 μg/ml to 113.33 μg/ml ( < 0.001). Following dental treatment, salivary lactoferrin and lysozyme levels were significantly reduced from 3.76 μg/ml and 10.62 μg/ml to 3.44 μg/ml and 10.27 μg/ml, respectively ( < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Levels of salivary IgA, amylase, lactoferrin, and lysozyme were reduced significantly at 3 months following comprehensive dental treatment.