Screening and Prediction of the Periodontal Disease by Salivary Enzymes

Back ground: Some salivary enzymes have been known to be associated with the periodontal conditions. Aims: The salivary levels of the AST, ALT and LDH were used for the screening test of the periodontal disease and by the one year follow up, we tried to predict the incidence and progression of the periodontal diseases. Methods: Study population was obtained form the subjects who were working at the one of the municipal office and attended at the annual dental check ups. A total of 87 subjects were analyzed. Saliva samples were obtained by chewing the gum base for 5 min. Pocket depth was measured by the WHO standard probe by the four point methods. Results: By the oral examination, 55 subjects had at least one pocket more than 4mm. For the subjects with at least one pocket more than 4mm, salivary levels of the AST, ALT and LDH were higher and the differences were statistically significant. And the cut off point of these enzymes were 55.5U/L for AST, 23.65U/L for ALT and 245.5U/L for LDH, respectively. Their sensitivities and specificities were 0.64 and 0.63 for AST, 0.67 and 0.59 for ALT, 0.65 and 0.63 for LDH. Among 32 subjects without deep periodontal pockets, 12 subjects had at least one pocket more than 4mm after one year follow up. The salivary levels of AST, ALT and LDH were higher in these subjects And the cut off point of these enzymes were 46.5U/L for AST, 23.65U/L for ALT and 171.5U/L for LDH, respectively. Their sensitivities and specificities were 0.67 and 0.68 for AST, 0.58 and 0.70 for ALT, 0.50 and 0.35 for LDH. Conclusion: Salivary levels of the AST and ALT can be predictors for the incidence of the periodontal disease.