ASSESSMENT OF PHYSIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND BACTERIOLOGY OF SALIVA IN INDIVIDUALS WITH DIFFERENT CARIES RISK SEVERITY: A RETROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED STUDY

Meenakshi Verma*, Ashish K. Jain, Rahul D. Rao, Deepak Langade, Shreya Shivangi and Tejas Ghone

ABSTRACT

Introduction: This study assesses the salivary parameters in individuals using the modified caries risk assessment form. Methods: Fifty male (n=29) and female (n=21) patients in the OPD of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics of BVDUDCH, Navi Mumbai, were enrolled after obtaining written consent. All participants underwent modified caries risk assessment form, salivary parameters (stimulated and unstimulated flow, pH, buffering capacity, consistency), salivary CFU count for Str. mutans and Lactobacilus using the CRT kit, and presence of Str. mutans using the Saliva-Check mutans rapid detection kit. Results: Eight patients were in moderate-risk, 32 in high-risk and 10 were in extremely high-risk category as per the modified caries risk assessment form. The mean unstimulated salivary flow rates were lower (p, 0.001) in the higher risk categories. The buffering capacity was ‘very low’ in 70.0% patients with extremely high-risk, 43.7% patients with high-risk and all moderate-risk patients had normal buffering capacity. None of the patients had highly acidic salivary pH, whereas more patients in extremely high-risk group had higher pH than those with high-risk and moderate-risk groups (p, 0.326). Saliva viscosity was normal in all moderate-risk patients, and increased viscosity was observed in 59.4% patients with high-risk and 80.0% patients with extremely high-risk (p, 0.0019). Higher CFU/ml was observed for Str. mutans (p, 0.0196) and Lactobacillus (p, 0.0031) in patients with extremely high-risk and high-risk compared to moderate-risk patients. Conclusion: Caries risk assessment form could be a quick and convenient method for identifying potential caries susceptibility and should be adopted in regular clinical practice

Keywords: Caries risk assessment, Saliva, Bacteriology, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus.